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Watch: Greece's Tinos pilgrimage overshadowed by virus

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the suspension of many of the usual practices.

Romania

Beautiful or blasphemous? Art hailing COVID-19 workers divides Romania

"It is not only blasphemous but also an offence to the honourable profession of doctors, who do not think of themselves as saints, or improvised saviours and do not claim a public cult.”

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Easter Mass: All churches in Moscow are closed to the public

Russian Patriarch Kirill celebrates the Orthodox Easter Mass at an empty Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow amid the coronavirus pandemic. In Sofia, people attend the Easter mass despite the virus fears.

World News

Orthodox Easter: churches largely empty amid coronavirus pandemic

More than 260 million Orthodox Christians are celebrating #Easter under exceptional conditions due to coronavirus restrictions.

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West Bank

Sacred rite for Orthodox Christians in Bethlehem marred by coronavirus

One of the most sacred Easter symbols of the Christian Orthodox faith - the Holy Fire - arrived in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday.

World News

Orthodox Churches disagree on how to worship safely over Easter

Orthodox churches in Russia and Ukraine have sent mixed signals to congregations over whether or not they can attend Easter services this weekend.

Romania

Priests give communion with shared spoon as Romania COVID-19 spreads

The controversy came a day after Romania imposed restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Greece

Coronavirus: Greek priest arrested for holding mass during lockdown

The priest was released after being asked to follow the measures introduced by the Greek government and the Church of Greece amid the coronavirus crisis.

Georgia

Watch: 500 babies baptised in Georgian mass ceremony

521 babies have been baptised in a mass ceremony in Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral. And their godfather is Ilia II, the spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

World News

When the pope met Putin: What is the Great Schism of 1054?

Pope Francis and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for the third time on Thursday — but what is the significance of this? And why do people keep talking about the Great Schism of 1054?

Romania

Pope Francis in Romania warns against division through ideology

On the final day of his Romania trip, Pope Francis speaks of the courage of Catholics persecuted under Communism.

Romania

Crowds cheer Pope Francis on visit to Orthodox Romania

Pope Francis will meet the patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church during his visit to the country, where Catholics are a minority.

Greece

Watch: Greeks 'burn Judas' in ancient Orthodox Easter tradition

Boats circle a straw figure of the Biblical traitor before setting it alight. The tradition dates back several centuries but in some places has only been brought back in the last few decades.

World News

Halki: Why Greeks want a Christian seminary in the heart of Istanbul

The long-running international campaign to re-open a theological school in Turkey is set for a major boost this week.

Russia

Putin celebrates Christmas with orthodox Christians in St Petersburg

Orthodox Christians have begun celebrations to mark Christmas with special midnight masses across the country. President Vladimir Putin joined them for mass in St Petersburg.

Turkey

Decree grants independence to Ukraine's Orthodox church

Istanbul's Ecumenical Patriarch signed a degree to grant independence to the Orthodox church of Ukraine.

Ukraine

Ukraine splits from Russian Orthodox Church after three centuries

The Russian Orthodox Church has portrayed it as the biggest split in Christianity for 1,000 years.

Israel

Painting of Jesus Christ found in ancient church in Israel

A painting of Jesus Christ’s face has been discovered at a Byzantine church in Israel’s Negev desert.

Greece

10,000 clergy to come off Greek payroll

Greece and its Orthodox Church have tentatively agreed on Tuesday to remove some 10,000 clergy from the state payroll, according to Reuters.This landmark deal could clearly define the distinction between church and state in Greece

Russia

Russia's Orthodox Church freezes ties with Constantinople over Ukraine

The Russian Orthodox Church has downgraded "diplomatic relations" with Istanbul-based Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.