RIA Novosti

Russian Orthodox Church Opens Facebook Account on Patriarch

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:12:00 GMT

The information department of the Russian Orthodox Church has opened a Facebook account called Patriarch Kirill to inform internet users about his life and work, a deputy chief spokesman for the patriarch said on Tuesday.

Putin Attends Religious Ceremony Amid Protests

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:42:00 GMT

As tens of thousands of people were gathering to protest against his rule at a rally in downtown Moscow on Sunday, President-elect Vladimir Putin took part in a ceremony to hand over an ancient icon to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Sixty-Four Percent of Russians Trust Orthodox Church – Poll

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Russians have more trust in the Russian Orthodox Church in general than in its head Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, according to a survey conducted by the Kremlin-backed pollster Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).

Thousands of Bulgarians Meet Russian Patriarch in Plovdiv

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:40:00 GMT

Thousands of people met the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the center of Bulgaria’s second largest city of Plovdiv, chanting “Russia” and accompanying clerics in their procession with church banners.

Patriarch Kirill Urges Priests to Avoid Talk Shows

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:29:00 GMT

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has called on priests not to attend talk shows, the Moscow Patriarchate reported.

Self-Proclaimed ‘God’ Torches Self Outside Moscow

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:04:59 GMT

Thousands of Priests to Come to Moscow for Nationwide Prayer

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:03:00 GMT

Thousands of priests are expected to arrive in Moscow on Sunday for a nationwide prayer in defense of the faith and desecrated sacred objects, Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Vladimir Legoida said.

Stars Speak of God as Orthodox Church Prepares to Defend Faith

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:51:00 GMT

With Russia’s powerful Orthodox Church facing a wave of criticism from what it has called supporters of “radical liberal values,” a Christian publisher presented on Wednesday a book on the religious beliefs of stars of show business and film.

Moscow Needs Over 900 Churches – Resin

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:12:00 GMT

Moscow needs a total of 907 active churches to reach the Russian average, said Vladimir Resin, who along with church leaders oversees a program to build 200 new churches in the capital.

Russians Celebrate Orthodox Easter

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:49:00 GMT

Russia is celebrating Easter, Christianity's most important and joyful feast when the Church commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Hundreds of Russian Believers Meet Holy Fire

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:39:00 GMT

The Holy Fire from Jerusalem arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo-1 Airport on Saturday evening greeted by hundreds of believers, RIA Novosti reported.

Russian Church Should be Open to Debate - Patriarch Kirill

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:10:00 GMT

The Russian Orthodox Church should be ready for public debates with its opponents but not reply in kind to a smear campaign against it, the church’s leader, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, said on Tuesday.

Strasbourg Court Should Protect Christians - Russian Church

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:39:15 GMT

Strasbourg Court Should Protect Christians - Russian Church

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Hegumen Philip Ryabykh, the Russian Orthodox Church’s representative to the Council of Europe, said on Tuesday Russia would do what it can to help British Christians banned from openly wearing crosses at work defend their right to do so.

UK Gets Cross With Christian Symbols

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The British government is trying to dictate to Christian workers to take off their crosses, British newspapers reported.

Russia May Increase Fines for Insulting Religions

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:55:00 GMT

A United Russia lawmaker proposed a tenfold increase in fines for insulting religious beliefs, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, said on its website on Friday.

Russian Church Plan ‘Unaffected’ by Paris Mayor’s Criticism

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:29:00 GMT

Russia’s plans to build a spiritual and cultural center on the banks of the Seine River will not be affected by the Paris mayor’s opposition to the project, Viktor Khrekov, a spokesman for the Russian presidential affairs department, said on Tuesday.

Pope Calls for End of Syria Violence

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:35:00 GMT

Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday launched a fresh appeal on the Syrian authorities, urging them to address the demands of protesters and put end to months-long violent uprising in the country.

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.