Orthodox
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.
US Orthodox symposium on women deacons proposes a way forward
By Meagan Saliashvili — November 14, 2023
BROOKLINE, Mass. (RNS)— A consortium of Orthodox Christian scholars, clergy and lay supporters meeting this week outside Boston proposed guidelines for the church to revive the ancient practice of allowing women to be deacons.
Jerusalem’s church leaders call for sober Christmas in Holy Land as war rages
By Fiona André — November 10, 2023
(RNS) — Leaders of Jordan’s Council of Churches issued a similar statement on Nov. 5, calling for the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in the kingdom.
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.
Pope Francis to join other clergy at first ‘Faith Pavilion’ at climate summit
By Adelle M. Banks — November 9, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This demonstrates the significance of the interfaith movement in helping to tackle the climate emergency,’ said one faith leader about the pavilion.
How the Israel-Hamas war has brought together Arab Christians and Muslims
By Daoud Kuttab — November 3, 2023
(RNS) — Bonds strained in recent years by the rise of Islamic radicals have been cemented again.
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.
As Turkey’s Christians celebrate a new church, religious minorities still call for respect
By David I. Klein — October 27, 2023
ISTANBUL (RNS) — Though he has allowed new houses of worship to be built and old ones to be reopened, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan needs to do more, observers say, to restore respect for a truly pluralistic society as much as for church property.
Palestinian Americans rally, pray and organize amid crisis in Gaza
By Kathryn Post — October 23, 2023
(RNS) — 'This is not a time to say, ‘I'm stressed and I can't.’ People in Gaza need us,' said Walaa Kanan, a Palestinian American community organizer.
Two young Palestinian women died in a Gaza church, treated like ‘human animals’
By Daoud Kuttab — October 21, 2023
(RNS) — The shelling of St. Porphyrios follows efforts to dehumanize Palestinians to justify inhumane attacks.
Archbishop of Canterbury, in Jerusalem, to meet with Christians and Jewish leaders
By Catherine Pepinster — October 20, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Speculation is growing that Welby, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church might jointly issue a statement calling for a ceasefire.
As Israel readies troops for ground assault, Gaza awaits urgently needed aid from Egypt
By Ravi Nessman, Najib Jobain, and Samya Kullab — October 19, 2023
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — One blast struck a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City where families were seeking shelter,
Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country
By David I. Klein — October 19, 2023
(RNS) — Draft law 8371, which requires another vote before moving to the president’s desk, would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those whose leadership is outside of Ukraine.
