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'Fake ceasefire'

Little Let-Up in Fighting as Ukraine, Russia Mark Orthodox Christmas

Ukrainians and Russians on Saturday marked Orthodox Christmas under the shadow of war, as fighting persisted despite Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin...

Holiday loneliness

Lone Putin Observes Christmas at Kremlin Church

Russian President Vladimir Putin stood alone at a midnight service at a Kremlin church as he marked Orthodox Christmas darkened by Moscow's assault on...

Pope Says Meeting With Russian Orthodox Patriarch Scrapped

Pope Francis has condemned Russia's military operation in Ukraine while Patriarch Kirill has been a staunch supporter of the campaign.

Russian Patriarch, Pope Urge 'Just Peace' in Ukraine

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a key pillar of Putin's ruling apparatus.

Amsterdam's Orthodox Clergy Split From Moscow Patriarch

The church clergy said that they would no longer mention the name of the Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, in their liturgy because...

Patriarch Kirill Spotted Wearing Mask at Church Synod

The Open Media news website reported that this is the first time the Russian Orthodox leader has been seen in a mask in public.

Russians Celebrate Epiphany With a Bone-Chilling Bath

Both believers and non-believers take the plunge.

Russia Probes Child Torture Reports at Seized Monastery

The Sredneuralsk women’s monastery is under the control of excommunicated priest Father Sergei Romanov.

Fire and Brimstone: The Rise and Fall of Russia’s Coronavirus-Denying Rebel Priest

The Russian Orthodox Church is trying to remove defrocked, ultraconservative Father Sergei Romanov from a monastery he has taken over by force.

Infected clergy

Russian Orthodox Priests Test Positive for Coronavirus

They are believed to be the first Russian Orthodox priests to be infected with the fast-spreading virus in Russia.

Russia’s Orthodox Church Sticks to Its Traditions Despite Coronavirus Threat

As institutions across Russia close down to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Church sees closing its doors as a last resort.

Moscow Monastery Launches Nightly Anti-Coronavirus Processions

Priests will walk the sidewalks reciting prayers, carrying an icon and splashing holy water on the monastery walls.

DISINFECTED DEVOTION

Russian Orthodox Church Adopts Sweeping Anti-Coronavirus Rules

Worshippers will not be allowed to kiss the cross at the end of a liturgy and icons will be disinfected each time they are kissed.

Is Russia’s Church About to Ban Priests From Blessing Nukes?

Soon, you might not be able to get a priest's blessing for a weapon of mass destruction in Russia.

Church pushback

Russian Orthodox Leader Rails Against ‘Foreign’ Domestic Violence Law

“Any intrusion into family matters from outside carries significant negative consequences,” the influential Russian Orthodox Church leader said.

PRIEST’S PETITION

Russian Priest Leads Campaign to Bar Pro-Kremlin Talk Show Host From Italian Citizenship

Critics accuse Vladimir Solovyov of extolling Kremlin virtues while spending part of the year in an Italian villa.

opinion Ksenia Luchenko

Unorthodox Appeal: How Russian Priests Made History

It’s the first time ever that the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church have taken collective action that was not sanctioned by the church authorities...

Behind Moscow’s Facades, Legacies of Soviet Atheism

The Russian Orthodox Church is trying to evict tenants and claim real estate that was once appropriated by Soviet authorities.

Science is canceled

Charles Darwin ‘Repents’ for Evolution Theory During Chat With Russian Priest

“You have nothing to do with a bear or a pig,” Darwin allegedly told the Orthodox archpriest from his tomb in Westminster Abbey.

religious shrine

Orthodox Pilgrims Flock to Moscow to See Holy Relics

Thousands of believers will wait in line to touch the relics.

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