Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Bulgarians line the streets of the capital to bid farewell to Orthodox Patriarch Neophyte
By Associated Press — March 19, 2024
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The spiritual leader of Bulgaria’s Orthodox Christians died on Wednesday at the age of 78 after a long illness.
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.
How the war between Russia and Ukraine is roiling the faith tradition they share
By J. Eugene Clay — May 3, 2022
(The Conversation) — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put a spotlight on the views of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Pope Francis and Kirill could meet, Vatican-Orthodox relations expert says
By Claire Giangravé — March 24, 2022
(RNS) — While Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill may seem at odds, they are both trying to play both sides of the conflict in Ukraine, one expert says.
Russian Orthodox eye expansion in Africa, maybe Turkey as well
By Tom Heneghan — March 22, 2022
(RNS) — Sanctions that have threatened the Russian economy, experts say, could also put the brakes on any expansion by the Russian church.
With war in Ukraine, Pope Francis’ yearslong outreach to Kirill appears to be in ruins
By Claire Giangravé — March 10, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — For years popes have hoped to meet the Russian Patriarch in Moscow, but the war in Ukraine has set back the clock on overcoming the Christian divide between East and West.
Why church conflict in Ukraine reflects historic Russian-Ukrainian tensions
By J. Eugene Clay — February 9, 2022
(The Conversation) — The current split in Ukrainian Orthodoxy reflects a fundamental question: Are Ukrainians and Russians one people or two separate nations?
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.
Orthodox Church’s top patriarch hospitalized in Washington
By Jack Jenkins — October 24, 2021
(RNS) — The cause was not immediately clear, although officials said his hospitalization was "out an abundance of caution."
In Assisi, Pope Francis lunches with world refugees
By Josephine McKenna — September 20, 2016
ROME (RNS) On World Day of Prayer for Peace, Francis lunched with refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Mali and Nigeria, including a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old.
‘You are not alone,’ Pope Francis tells refugees, brings 12 to Rome
By Rosie Scammell — April 17, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff's dramatic gesture capped a lightning visit, with Orthodox Christian leaders, to a Greek island that had a politically-charged message for Europe.
Russian pressure forces historic Orthodox summit to meet in Crete
By Tom Heneghan — January 25, 2016
PARIS (RNS) Russian leaders pressured the church to change the venue after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet that strayed into its airspace.
Last-minute politics overshadow historic pan-Orthodox council
By Tom Heneghan — December 18, 2015
(RNS) The Orthodox churches were supposed to be only months away from their first major council since the year 787.
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