Orthodox
Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage
By Nicholas Paphitis — February 15, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Supporters, waving rainbow banners, and opponents of the bill, holding religious icons and praying, held separate small, peaceful gatherings outside parliament Thursday.
Greek lawmakers are debating a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Here’s what it means
By Derek Gatopoulos — February 14, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The journey toward legalizing same-sex civil marriage in Greece has been long and contentious, with governments in the past shying away from a confrontation with the Orthodox Church.
Orthodox Christian radio hosted a panel on female deacons. Then misogyny poured in.
By Meagan Saliashvili — February 5, 2024
(RNS) — Far from clarifying the question of women deacons, the episode added fuel to an already incendiary conversation about women's ordination and the role of women in the church in general.
Greek bill on marriage for LGBTQ couples tests Orthodox Church’s historic influence
By David I. Klein — January 24, 2024
(RNS) — The Greek Orthodox Church opposition to legalizing marriage for anyone but traditional heterosexual couples is testing the church's influence over Greek life.
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.
Another dark Christmas in Ukraine
By Knox Thames — January 3, 2024
(RNS) — As Orthodox Christmas approaches, we cannot abandon Ukraine to Russian destruction.
RNS reporters look ahead to the big religion stories they expect in 2024
By RNS staff — December 30, 2023
(RNS) — From papal reforms to psychedelics to presidential elections, here are the big religion stories RNS reporters anticipate this coming year.
Faith leaders, influencers who died in 2023: Preachers, protesters, writers, singers
By Adelle M. Banks — December 26, 2023
(RNS) — We also bid farewell to some celebrities and influencers whose time on stages sometimes represented public faith or whose lives were strengthened by their personal faith.
In Bethlehem, quiet Christmas celebrations draw parallels to war’s victims
By Fiona André — December 22, 2023
(RNS) — In the West Bank and Gaza, Christians are searching for ways to celebrate a subdued Christmas, with festivities canceled for the first time since the First Intifada in 1988.
Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the Church
By Derek Gatopoulos — December 22, 2023
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house's current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
New date, same traditions: Ukraine’s wartime Christmas celebrations
By Iryna Voloshyna — December 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — An expert on Ukrainian music and folklore explains how holiday traditions celebrate both centuries of culture and present-day resistance.
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.
Armenian Christians battle developer to keep control of their corner of Jerusalem
By David I. Klein — December 4, 2023
(RNS) — A tiny Christian minority sitting on one of the Holy Land's most valuable pieces of real estate has rebelled against a real-estate deal that would sacrifice nearly 25% of its land in Jerusalem.
What the Camino shows us about travel and mortality
By Jana Riess — December 4, 2023
(RNS) — Travel teaches us how fragile life is and what a holy gift every day can be. (Also, it shows us we can be fear-based idiots.)
Bethlehem pastors arrive in DC, urge lawmakers to embrace cease-fire, peace plan
By Jack Jenkins — November 27, 2023
(RNS) — 'All we want for Christmas is a constant and comprehensive cease-fire and an end to this war,' said the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of Bethlehem’s Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church.
