Now playing Next world news Orthodox celebrate Christmas in Russia & Ukraine in shadow of war Both Russian and Ukrainian presidents marked the occasion, with Vladimir Putin calling for a 36-hour ceasefire and Volodymyr Zelensky hailing Ukrainians for their fighting spirit. 07/01/2023
Now playing Next no comment Christmas and Epiphany are marked in Ukraine, Serbia and Czechia Christmas and Epiphany are marked in Ukraine, Serbia and Czechia 06/01/2023
Now playing Next Culture news Why do some Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in January? The difference is due to how Catholic and Orthodox Christians use different calendars to mark the holy day. 06/01/2023
Now playing Next Ukraine Zelenskyy warns of another wave of Russian strikes before New Year President Zelenskyy sent Christmas greetings to those who celebrate - but warned that the holiday won't mean an end to Russian attacks 26/12/2022
Now playing Next Cyprus Paphos bishop elected as new leader of Cyprus Orthodox Church Bishop Georgios was elected after the death in November of Archbishop Chrysostomos II. 24/12/2022
Now playing Next Ukraine Ukrainian security service sanctions 10 pro-Russian Orthodox priests The Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine severed its ties to the pro-Kremlin Moscow Patriarchate earlier in the war. 04/12/2022
Now playing Next Cyprus Cyprus' Greek Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II dies, aged 81 Chrysostomos had suffered from liver cancer for the last four years and had spent his final days at the church’s headquarters in the capital. 07/11/2022
Now playing Next Uncovering Europe How Father Grigory became Russia's most prominent anti-war priest Amid Moscow's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Father Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko has decided to help thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Russia. He is also an outspoken critic of the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church. 12/10/2022
Now playing Next Serbia Nationalists join church protest in Belgrade against EuroPride event Thousands marched in the Serbian capital on Sunday night against Europe's biggest Pride event, which organisers vow will go ahead despite a move by President Vučić to ban it. 29/08/2022
Now playing Next Montenegro Montenegro government falls over ties with Serbian Orthodox Church It is not yet clear whether the fall of the government will lead to snap parliamentary elections or if the parties might try to form a new govening coalition. 20/08/2022
Now playing Next Montenegro Montenegrin PM secretly signs controversial church property contract The opposition responded by demanding a parliamentary vote of no confidence, which could see the small Balkan country end up with a fourth government in less than three years. 03/08/2022
Now playing Next Ukraine Historic wooden Orthodox church burns down in Donetsk monastic complex The wooden All Saints Shrine, a part of the Sviatohirsk Lavra holy site, burnt down as a result of Russian shelling, according to local outlets and Ukrainian officials. 05/06/2022
Now playing Next Europe News Patriarch Kirill excluded from EU sanctions after Hungary’s objection The last-minute move from Budapest angered diplomats, with one calling it "hostage policy." 02/06/2022
Now playing Next See How Ukrainian soldiers and refugees celebrated Orthodox Easter? Along the front lines amid the ongoing war with Russia, and in nearby countries where people have fled to, Ukrainians celebrated Orthodox Easter on Sunday 25/04/2022
Now playing Next Ukraine Ukrainians celebrate uneasy Easter as fear looms of Russian attacks As the Eastern Orthodox faithful celebrate Easter on Sunday, the holiday is a sombre occasion in the country at war. 24/04/2022
Now playing Next no comment Orthodox Christians mark Good Friday with Jerusalem procession Orthodox Christians poured onto the cobbled streets of Jerusalem's Old City to observe Good Friday, the day when Christians believe Jesus was crucified. 22/04/2022
Now playing Next no comment Prayers for 'mercy and peace' at Chisinau cathedral On Sunday morning the pews in Chisinau Cathedral were filled, as the Patriarch of Chisinau and head of Moldova's orthodox church, Mitropolitul Vladimir, led prayers for peace in Ukraine. 13/03/2022
Now playing Next Montenegro Dozens of Serb nationalists hold pro-Russia rally in Montenegro One of the large banners carried by those gathered read “Serbs in Montenegro, Russians in Ukraine”. 01/03/2022
Now playing Next no comment Russian Orthodox Church hold main midnight Christmas service The majority of Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, with midnight services especially popular. 07/01/2022
Now playing Next See Serbia's Orthodox Christians gather for January's Christmas traditions Though Serbia's COVID-19 figures are at new highs, hundreds attended the traditional Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy in the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia. 07/01/2022
