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Cyprus

Paphos bishop elected as new leader of Cyprus Orthodox Church

Bishop Georgios was elected after the death in November of Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

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.

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.

My Europe Series

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Culture news

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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”.

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Russian Orthodox Church hold main midnight Christmas service

The majority of Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, with midnight services especially popular.

Culture news

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.

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.

My Europe Series

In Mostar, reconstruction of an Orthodox church is a sign of unity

The Orthodox cathedral of the Holy Trinity is still not ready for Christmas mass. But its story and the quest to bring it back is one of resilience.

Greece

Europe 'torn by nationalist egoism' on migration, says Pope

The pope's trip to the region has focused on the plight of asylum-seekers as some European nations harden their border control policies.

Cyprus

Pope to meet Cyprus' Orthodox leader to strengthen ties

Pope Francis plans to meet with the leader of Cyprus’ Greek Orthodox Church with the aim of further mending an ideological and political rift between the Catholic West and the Orthodox East that dates back nearly a millennium.