Russian Orthodox Church

Europe News

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church elects new patriarch in divisive vote

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church has elected Daniil as its new leader in a vote that reflected the divisions in the church and wider society since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.

03/07/2024

Georgia

Protests after activist defaces icon of Stalin in Georgia

Controversy was sparked by an online video showing paint splattered on an icon of the former Soviet leader in Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral.

11/01/2024

World News

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in Europe and beyond

A variety of traditions mark Christmas Day, which falls on 7 January for the Orthodox faith.

07/01/2024

Culture news

Russian Orthodox Church demands apology from pop icon Alla Pugacheva

Alla Pugacheva's return to Russia has reignited controversy surrounding her critical comments against the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as a demand for an apology from the Russian Orthodox Church.

06/11/2023

Ukraine

Kyiv a step closer to banning Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Ukrainian lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday that would ban religious organisations and churches with alleged ties to Moscow.

19/10/2023

Russia

Russian Orthodox priests face persecution for wanting peace in Ukraine

Since the beginning of the military operation, at least 30 Orthodox priests have faced pressure by religious or state authorities over the war in Ukraine.

12/08/2023

Hungary

Hungary risks relationship with Ukraine over POW exchange

Hungary has gradually diverged from the EU's foreign policy agenda when it comes to Ukraine, angering Kyiv and further straining their relationship.

23/06/2023

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WATCH: Russian village prepares to celebrate Orthodox Easter

"Right now the people of both Russia and Ukraine are in need of compassion," said Andrey Lobaschinsky, the Archpriest of the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary in Karizha.

17/04/2023

Ukraine

Orthodox monks expelled from Kyiv monastery refuse to leave

The Ukrainian government has accused the monks of supporting Moscow and maintaining links with the Russian Orthodox Church.

30/03/2023

Ukraine

Orthodox monks in Ukraine defy order to leave Kyiv monastery

Orthodox monks from Kyiv's 11th-century Pechersk Lavra monastery are fighting eviction by the Ukrainian government because of their church's links with Russia

15/03/2023

World News

Patriarch Kirill worked for the KGB in the 1970s, Swiss media reports

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a close supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, worked for the Russian intelligence service in Switzerland in the 1970s, according to two Swiss newspapers, citing declassified archives.

06/02/2023

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Russians plunge into freezing water to celebrate Epiphany

It's one of the oldest holidays on the Christian calendar and a major celebration in the predominantly Orthodox country.

19/01/2023

Ukraine

Ukraine war: Zelenskyy hails US aid and other key developments

Here is our round-up of the latest from the war in Ukraine this Saturday.

07/01/2023

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

Ukraine

Six new developments to know about in Russia's war against Ukraine

Here is our summary of the latest news from Russia's war in Ukraine.

22/11/2022

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.

12/10/2022

Vatican

Pope Francis may meet the 'pro-war' leader of Russia's Orthodox Church

The EU accuses Patriarch Kirill of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.

01/08/2022

World News

Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church cuts ties over war

Church leaders say Russia broke God's commandment "Thou shalt not kill", condemning Moscow Patriarch Kirill's vocal support for the war.

29/05/2022

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Ukrainians celebrate Orthodox Easter

Ukrainians mark a sombre Orthodox Easter two months into Russia's invasion.

24/04/2022

France

French police investigate fire at Russian Orthodox Church in Paris

The blaze caused severe damage to the small church over the weekend.

19/04/2022