Orthodox

Head of Serbian Orthodox Church tests positive for virus

By Associated Press — January 11, 2022

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The 60-year-old patriarch became the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church after the previous patriarch, Irinej, died in November 2020 after contracting the coronavirus.

Amid tensions, Bosnian Serbs celebrate outlawed holiday

By By Radul Radovanovic — January 10, 2022

Orthodox observe Christmas amid virus concerns

By Jim Heintz — January 7, 2022

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew tests positive for COVID-19

By Associated Press — December 27, 2021

ISTANBUL (AP) — A Patriarchate statement said that 'his general condition is good.'

Plans move forward for 2022 pope, Russian patriarch meeting

By Nicole Winfield and Vladimir Isachenkov — December 22, 2021

ROME (AP) — Metropolitan Hilarion, foreign relations chief of the Russian Orthodox Church, met for about an hour with Francis on Wednesday morning at the Vatican.

Half a century since its closure, Turkey’s Orthodox Christians still pine for their seminary

By David I. Klein — December 14, 2021

(RNS) — The Halki seminary, whose graduates include at least two saints, seven patriarchs, seven archbishops and six metropolitans, has become an international bargaining chip.

Does religion make people more likely to welcome refugees? It’s complicated.

By Carol Kuruvilla — December 6, 2021

(RNS) — A new study investigates how religion shapes Europeans’ attitudes toward migrants.

Pope: New meeting with Russian Orthodox patriarch possible

By Nicole Winfield — December 6, 2021

(AP) — Francis said he planned to meet next week with the Russian church’s foreign envoy 'to agree on a possible meeting' with Patriarch Kirill.

Patriarch of Jerusalem’s edict puts unity on Holy Land’s Christmas in doubt

By Daoud Kuttab — December 2, 2021

(RNS) — Western and Eastern Christians in Jordan and Israel have long agreed to celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar, on Dec. 25, and Easter according to the older Julian calendar.

Russian coronavirus-denying monk given prison sentence

By Vladimir Isachenkov — November 30, 2021

Father Sergiy was arrested in December 2020 on charges of inciting suicidal actions through sermons in which he urged believers to “die for Russia,” breaching the freedom of conscience and making arbitrary moves.

New Revised Standard Version Bible updated with consideration for ‘modern sensibilities’

By Adelle M. Banks — November 17, 2021

(RNS) — More than 20,000 revisions were made for the new edition, which scholars made clear was not a new translation.

Amid COVID-19, most churches provide hybrid worship, half stopped picnics

By Adelle M. Banks — November 10, 2021

(RNS) — A new study shows that ‘the pandemic has had a profound impact across the religious spectrum, and that some churches are faring better than others,’ said scholar Scott Thumma.