RIA Novosti

Putin: Compulsory Religion Classes Must Engage Students

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:44:00 GMT

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin came out in favor of robust religion and secular ethics classes in Russian schools, saying they should be taught by theology specialists or priests.

Russian Orthodox Church Canonizes New Martyr

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:52:00 GMT

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has canonized Russian national Alexander Schmorell, a native of Orenburg, who was executed by the Nazi regime in 1943 for organizing an anti-fascist student group called the White Rose, the Church Bulletin publication reported.

Sectarian Tensions Heat Up in Sudan

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Tensions between Sudan’s Radical Islamist Ansar Al-Suna sect and Sufi groups heated up ahead of common celebrations of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in Sudan’s twin capital city of Omdurman.

Patriarch Kirill to Hold Liturgy on Enthronement Anniversary

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:51:00 GMT

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who was enthroned as head of the Russian Orthodox Church three years ago, will on Wednesday hold a divine liturgy in downtown Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, the patriarchal press service reported.

Patriarch: No Meeting Soon With Pope

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:53:00 GMT

A meeting between the Pope and the head of Russia’s Orthodox Christian church is not on the cards in the near future, Patriarch Kirill said.

Patriarch Kirill to Discuss Middle East Christians' Problems with Abbas

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:28:00 GMT

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All-Russia will discuss the problems of Christians in the Middle East with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting in Moscow on Saturday, the Moscow Patriarchate spokesman said.

Muslims, Jews Reject 'Orthodox Church Party’ Idea

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:35:00 GMT

The leaders of Muslim and Jewish groups in Russia have responded to a recent call to form an Orthodox Church party by rejecting all religion-based parties.

Greek church protests pre-trial detention of Abbot Efraim

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:55:00 GMT

The autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece has called for the release of Abbot Efraim, the head of the Vatopedi Monastery in Mount Athos, who is currently under arrest on real estate fraud charges, the church’s Holy Synod said on Thursday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012!

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:27:00 GMT

Mass celebrations of Orthodox Christmas begin in Russia

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Russian Orthodox believers flocked to churches on Saturday to attend Christmas service.

Live: Russian Orthodox Christmas service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

RIA Novosti is hosting a live broadcast of the Christmas service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Live broadcast: Orthodox Christmas service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:26:00 GMT

RIA Novosti will provide a live broadcast of Orthodox Christmas service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, which will be conducted in Russian.

Pope condemns commercialization of Christmas

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 04:03:00 GMT

Pope Benedict XVI has condemned the commercialization of Christmas as he held Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Possible ban on Bhagavad Gita in Russia angers Indian MPs

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:50:00 GMT

Indian parliamentarians urged the government on Monday to diplomatically intervene in a Russian trial that might order a ban on one of the holiest Hindu scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita, local media reported.

Ukrainian Orthodox leader in 'serious, but stable' condition

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:33:00 GMT

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Vladimir, who was hospitalized with respiratory problems in late October, remains in a serious, but stable condition

Russian Orthodox Church leader to hold memorial service for Patriarch Alexy II

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:10:00 GMT

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will on Monday hold a memorial service for his predecessor, Patriarch Alexy II, three years after his death.

About 800,000 worshipped Christian relic in week

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:25:00 GMT

More than 800,000 people visited Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior last week to see the a belt believed to have belonged to the Virgin Mary.

Over 50,000 queue in freezing Moscow to see holy relic

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:02:00 GMT

Some 50,000-60,000 people queued on Wednesday evening outside downtown Moscow’s Christ the Savior cathedral to see a belt believed to have belonged to the Virgin Mary.

Russians spend 15 hours in line to main Christian shrine

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:35:00 GMT

Some 20,000 people lined up on Tuesday around the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow to worship one of the most revered Christian shrines, the Mother of God’s Belt, pilgrim hotline employees said.

Thousands gather in Moscow to see main Christian shrine

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:28:00 GMT

Thousands of people lined up around the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, where one of the most-revered Christian shrines, the Mother of God’s Belt, went on display on Saturday.

Georgian Orthodox Church head in Moscow for Russian patriarch’s birthday

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:08:00 GMT

The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, arrived in Moscow on Friday for events to celebrate Russian Patriarch Kirill’s birthday.

Kazan to receive world's largest Quran

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:07:00 GMT

The biggest Quran will be brought to Kazan Qolsharif Mosque on November 17.

Monument to John Paul II unveiled in Moscow

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:51:00 GMT

A monument to late Pope John Paul II was unveiled on Friday in the courtyard of the Library of Foreign Languages in Moscow, the library said.

TEST Poland condemns Belarus minister no-show at Eastern Partnership summit

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:54:13 GMT

Russia reverses decision on Muslim holidays

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:43:00 GMT

The Russian Supreme Court on Wednesday reversed a decision to declare the two main Muslim holidays - Eid al-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr - regular working days in the mainly Muslim republic of Bashkiria.