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'inciting hatred'

Rogue Russian Priest Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

A disgraced Russian monk who had barricaded himself inside his monastery with dozens of followers was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison on...

taking the plunge

Russians Brave the Cold for Frozen Epiphany Swim

Each year on Jan. 19, Russians celebrate the holiday of the Epiphany, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, by dipping into frigid...

opinion Ksenia Luchenko

Russia's Attempt to Weaponize Orthodox Christianity in Ukraine

The celebration of Orthodox Christmas in both Russia and Ukraine on Jan. 7 provided ample evidence of what the Washington-based Institute for the...

religious rhetoric

'Sacred Goal': Russia Paints Ukraine Assault in Spiritual Terms

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a powerful ally of President Vladimir Putin, is embracing the rhetoric of the medieval crusades in urging support for...

opinion Philip Boobbyer

How Culture and Faith Might Help Russia Find its True Voice

If we find ourselves in hell, what voice will we scream with? "Not with our own," observed the Russian writer Andrei Sinyavsky in his 1973 book of...

Russia Sentences 4 Jehovah’s Witnesses to Lengthy Prison Terms

A Russian court has sentenced four members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to prison terms ranging up to seven years, the religious organization ...

in the spotlight

Ukraine Finds 'Propaganda' at Russia-Linked Orthodox Sites

Ukraine's SBU security service on Wednesday found "propaganda literature" in counter-intelligence searches in churches and monasteries across the country...

blocked from service

Anti-War Russian Priest Seeks Asylum in U.S.

A Russian priest who opposes the war in Ukraine has fled the country and is now seeking asylum in the United States, according to reports. Archpriest Theodore...

spiritual subversion

Ukraine to Limit Moscow-Linked Religious Groups: Zelensky

Ukraine will move to impose limitations on religious organizations in the country which have links to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his...

backlash continues

Pope's Remarks on Russian Ethnic Minorities 'Un-Christian' – Lavrov

Moscow on Thursday described as "un-Christian" recent comments by Pope Francis that Russian ethnic minorities were among the "cruelest" actors in Moscow's...

controversial comment

Russian Officials Slam Pope for Singling Out ‘Cruelest’ Minorities on Ukraine Frontlines

Russian political and religious figures have spoken out against Pope Francis’ characterization of ethnic minorities as the “cruelest&rdquo...

world heritage site

Ukraine Raids Famed Monastery Over Suspected Russia Links

Ukraine's security service said Tuesday it had raided a historic Orthodox monastery in Kyiv over suspected links to Russian agents. The Kremlin denounced...

hero of the russian federation

Putin Gives Highest Medal to 'Warrior Priest' Killed in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday posthumously awarded the highest state decoration to pro-Kremlin archpriest Mikhail Vasilyev, who died in Ukraine...

nuclear cathedral

Russian Military Priest Killed in Ukraine After Encouraging Women to Send Sons to War

Updated on Nov. 22 to add the death of another priest who had been accompanying Vasilyev on the frontline. A Russian priest who encouraged women to have...

‘God Put You in Power’: Russian Orthodox Leader Tells Putin on 70th Birthday

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill said Friday that Vladimir Putin's reign over Russia had been mandated by God, congratulating the...

blast from the past

Landmark Moscow Cathedral to Host ‘U.S.S.R. Hit Parade’ Concert

The cathedral later denied the reports that it was hosting the concert.

Indestructible faith

Lysychansk Residents Pray in Basements After Churches Battered By Russian Strikes

Many believers have been forced to pray in basements as the city's churches have been badly damaged in Russia's offensive.

Human Rights Ruling

Europe’s Top Rights Court Rules Against Russia’s Jehovah’s Witnesses Ban

The ruling from the ECHR came as Russian lawmakers passed legislation ending its jurisdiction.

religious departure

Moscow Chief Rabbi Leaves Russia, Alleging State Pressure Over War

Rabbi Goldschmidt said in early May he did not know when he would return to Russia.

Patriarch Kirill ‘Understands’ Ukraine Church Schism

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Friday declared "full independence" in a historic move against Russia's spiritual authorities.

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