Russian Orthodox Church
Patriarch Neophyte I of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church dead at 78
By David I. Klein — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — A soft-spoken theologian, Neophyte I was a critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict
By The Associated Press — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Orthodox Christians packed churches Saturday night for Christmas Eve services, a holiday overshadowed for many believers by conflict.
As Russia ramps up ‘traditional values’ rhetoric − especially against LGBTQ+ groups − it’s won Putin far-right fans abroad
By Sarah Riccardi-Swartz — December 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — Far-right American Christians once viewed Soviet culture as a menace to their values. Today, some authoritarian-leaning admirers wish their country were more like Putin’s Russia.
Native Alaskan healer named North America’s first female saint in Orthodox Church
By Meagan Saliashvili — November 10, 2023
(RNS) — A Native Alaskan midwife known for her healing love, especially toward abused women, was glorified at a meeting of bishops in Chicago this week.
Anchorage’s oldest building, a Russian Orthodox church, gets new life in restoration project
By Mark Thiessen — October 30, 2023
EKLUTNA, Alaska (AP) — The Russian Orthodox church was established in Alaska on Kodiak Island in 1794 and missionaries spread the faith, baptizing an estimated 18,000 Alaska Natives.
Russian Orthodox Church appoints Putin’s spiritual adviser metropolitan of Crimea
By David I. Klein — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — In March, Metropolitan Tikhon was seen at Putin's side as the president made his first visit to Crimea since full-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.
Fate of historic Sofia church unclear as Bulgaria accuses abbot of spying for Russia
By David I. Klein — October 4, 2023
(RNS) — After three Russian Orthodox Church priests were expelled from Bulgaria on charges of espionage last month, their former church is at the center of a diplomatic rift between the Russian and Bulgarian governments and an ecclesiastical one between the two countries’ Orthodox churches.
Riding a wave of converts, one group aims to fuse Orthodoxy with Southern values
By Meagan Saliashvili — September 19, 2023
TOBACCOVILLE, N.C. (RNS) — At the group’s inaugural event, the majority of attendees appeared to represent the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, though few were ‘cradle’ Orthodox Christians.
Russian patriarch reminds Africans of advantages in following Kremlin’s lead
By Tom Heneghan — August 2, 2023
(RNS) — Kirill's appearance underlined the importance of the soft-power influence that the Russian Orthodox Church exerts for Moscow in Africa.
Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions
By Felipe Dana and Dasha Litvinova — July 31, 2023
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The explanatory note attached to the law said its goal is to “abandon the Russian heritage,” including that of “imposing the celebration of Christmas” on Jan. 7
Russian lawmakers move to further restrict transgender rights in new legislation
By Dasha Litvinova — July 14, 2023
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — There is little doubt that the bill, a crippling blow to Russia's oppressed LGBTQ+ community, will be adopted amid the Kremlin's crusade to protect what it views as the country's “traditional values.”
Vatican No 2 confirms Russia-Ukraine peace mission plans
By Nicole Winfield — May 5, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Holy See's No. 2 official confirmed Wednesday (May 5) the existence of a Vatican peace “mission” to try to end Russia's war in Ukraine, days after Pope Francis raised eyebrows with an offhand revelation of a secret operation that was already underway.
Pope speaks of secret peace ‘mission,’ help for Ukraine kids
By Nicole Winfield — May 2, 2023
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — 'There’s a mission that’s not public that’s underway; when it’s public I’ll talk about it', the pope said.
Can ecumenism survive some Orthodox churches’ resistance to ordained women?
By Anna Piela — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — The issue of female ordination is threatening to define the future of ecumenism and Orthodoxy at large.
‘Prayer is our only weapon’: Monks at Kyiv monastery resist planned eviction
By Meagan Saliashvili — March 28, 2023
(RNS) — The monastery’s fate has been in question since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 has brought a series of crackdowns on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has historical ties to Moscow.
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