Orthodox

Vatican

The faithful start off Easter celebrations around the world

Thousands of people gathered in the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica to witness the Easter week mass on Holy Thursday.

17/04/2025

No Comment

Bulgaria honours Saint Haralambos, patron saint of beekeepers

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria are celebrating Saint Haralambos Day, honouring the patron saint of beekeepers.

10/02/2025

Russia

Orthodox Russians mark Epiphany amid unusually warm winter weather

However local emergency services in some regions cancelled events, saying it was too hazardous for worshippers to cut bathing holes in icy ponds and rivers

19/01/2025

No Comment

Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest outside Israeli military enlistment office

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protested in Jerusalem against proposals to expand mandatory military service to include their community.

31/10/2024

Germany

US fines Lufthansa €3.6m over treatment of Jewish passengers

The group of 128 passengers were denied boarding on a flight in Frankfurt in 2022 after flying to Germany from New York.

16/10/2024

Bulgaria

Bulgaria's Orthodox Christian church leader dies after long illness

The 78-year-old had been hospitalised with lung disease since November last year.

14/03/2024

Bulgaria

Dyeing eggs and baking bread: Bulgaria's Orthodox Easter traditions

Kozunak is a sweet loaf made with sugar, raisins and almonds, to be served on special religious occasions.

15/04/2023

No Comment

Watch: Ukrainians and Russians mark Epiphany as fierce fighting rages

Ukrainians and Russians stripped off and plunged into icy pools and bodies of water to mark Epiphany as fierce fighting rages on.

20/01/2023

No Comment

Watch: Ukrainians plunge into icy waters to mark Epiphany amid war

Residents all over Ukraine are braving so much more than the January cold to plunge into an icy pool to mark Epiphany.

19/01/2023

World News

Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns

The Serbian Patriarch prayed for medical workers fighting the virus and for those sick to recover quickly.

07/01/2022

Russia

Russian teenager detonates explosive device outside Orthodox school

Several people -- including the suspected bomber -- were wounded in the blast near the Russian capital.

13/12/2021

No Comment

Ultra-Orthadox Jews clash with Israeli police over COVID restrictions

The scuffles broke out as police tried to close religious schools that had opened despite coronavirus lockdown rules.

24/01/2021

No Comment

Russians submerge in frozen waters to mark Epiphany

The Russian President takes part in a traditional Orthodox ritual to mark the feast of Epiphany every year.

19/01/2021

No Comment

Palestinian scout bands parade during celebrations for Orthodox Christ

Palestinian scout bands outside and christian worshippers inside the Church of the Nativity celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.

06/01/2021

Montenegro

Montenegro's pro-Serb government vote to amend religion law

The vote comes after months Serbian church-led protests calling for the amendment - but protesters on the other side say the changes will push Montenegro back into Serbia's grip.

29/12/2020

Romania

Romania cathedral's altar ego lands Google in holy water

The National Salvation Cathedral will cost €110 million and be the largest of its kind in Europe. Critics say it is a waste of money in the EU's second-poorest state.

23/06/2020

No Comment

Coronavirus leaves Holy Sepulchre almost deserted on Saturday's Christian Orthodox Easter service

Coronavirus prevented thousands of Christian Orthodox worshippers from participating in one of their most ancient rituals on Saturday at the Jerusalem church that houses the tomb of Jesus

18/04/2020

No Comment

Russians mark Epiphany with plunge into icy water

Russian Orthodox Christians immerse in ice-cold water in some of the country's regions to celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ.

19/01/2020

Republic of North Macedonia

Pope Francis continues Balkan tour with a visit to North Macedonia

Pope Francis continued his Balkan tour with a visit to North Macedonia, where 20,000 Catholics live alongside Orthodox, Muslim and Protestant communities

07/05/2019

World News

Orthodox christians celebrate Holy Fire in Jerusalem

The church stands on the site where Jesus’s tomb is believed to have been located and the event attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.

27/04/2019