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breaking the fast

In Photos: Russia's Muslims Mark Ramadan's End on Eid al-Fitr

Celebrations were muted for a second year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

religious freedom

Russian Astrologer, Yoga Teacher Charged for Promoting Popular Hindu Festival

Yekaterina Kalinkina faces a fine of 50,000 rubles ($650) for "illegal missionary work."

eggs and pussy willows

In Photos: Orthodox Easter Celebrations Across Russia

Despite the still-raging coronavirus pandemic, believers marked the Russian Orthodox Church's most sacred religious holiday.

western tradition

In Photos: Russia Celebrates Western Easter Sunday

Meanwhile, Russia's Orthodox Christian majority will mark Easter next month.

Russian Troops Fined for Contentious Holy Water Shoe-Washing Video

Video of the two servicemen boasting of washing their feet in holy water at a Russian Orthodox chapel sparked backlash.

'consecration of the chariot'

Russian Priest Blesses Police Van in Siberia

The photo op follows the detention of some 12,000 people at mass nationwide rallies supporting jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

PSYCHIATRIC HELP

Anti-Putin Shaman Re-Committed to Mental Hospital

Alexander Gabyshev was about to restart his crusade to “exorcise” Putin.

polarizing pronouncements

Outspoken Moscow Theologian Defrocked by Orthodox Church

Protodeacon Andrei Kuraev had described the head of a Moscow cathedral who died of the coronavirus as a “dumb careerist.”

fall from grace

Russia Detains Ex-Priest Suspected of Encouraging Children to 'Die for Russia'

Father Sergei Romanov was excommunicated from the Russian Orthodox Church after he denied the coronavirus pandemic and captured a monastery.

Religious Freedoms

U.S. Adds Russia to Religious Freedom Violators Watchlist

Russia appears on the U.S. watchlist of countries that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations” of religious freedom.

Demons and Priests

Don’t Perform Exorcisms at Home, Russian Orthodox Church Warns

A viral video showing parents attempting to expel a demon from their 10-year-old son sparked condemnation from the Church.

church and state

Russia Battles Exiled Parishioners for French Church Ownership

Moscow is accused of an “aggressive strategy” to reclaim pre-revolutionary Orthodox churches abroad.

'direct interpretation'

Mixed-Marriage Ban for Russian Muslims Sparks Backlash

The Russian Muslim Spiritual Administration's advisory council pointed to “absolutely different worldviews, cultures and education.”

crossing a line

Russian Orthodox Church Backs Banning ‘Offensive’ Religious Cartoons

The comments follow the beheading of a French schoolteacher for showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad to students.

church and state

Grand Orthodox Cathedral Planned for Moscow State University Campus

The cathedral will be crowned by a 46-meter (150 feet) bell tower surrounded by more than a dozen domes.

Catholics Will Convert to Orthodoxy Over Pope’s LGBT Support, Russian Church Predicts

A Russian Orthodox Church official called Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions “a strong step toward degradation.”

high-profile death

Controversial Russian Priest Dies During Coronavirus Rehabilitation

Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov was named “Sexist of the Year” by Russian feminists this year for his inflammatory statements.

Russia Probes Child Torture Reports at Seized Monastery

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

Russian Authorities Storm Siberian Commune, Arrest Messianic Cult Leader

Armed agents stormed the Church of the Last Testament's compound and placed its leader Vissarion Christ the Teacher into a helicopter.

insulted feelings

Russian Troops Detained for Washing Shoes in Holy Water

Video showing the two young men laughing as they washed their shoes at a chapel in Kaliningrad went viral last weekend.

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