Russia
9 Jehovah’s Witnesses convicted of extremism for practicing faith in Russia
By Kathryn Post — March 7, 2024
(RNS) — The men received sentences of up to seven years in a penal colony for practicing their faith.
Putin’s crackdown casts a wide net, ensnaring the LGBTQ+ community, lawyers and many others
By Dasha Litvinova — March 7, 2024
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Prominent rights groups in Russia have been outlawed or classified as agents of foreigners.
As Russia ramps up ‘traditional values’ rhetoric − especially against LGBTQ+ groups − it’s won Putin far-right fans abroad
By Sarah Riccardi-Swartz — December 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — Far-right American Christians once viewed Soviet culture as a menace to their values. Today, some authoritarian-leaning admirers wish their country were more like Putin’s Russia.
A prosecutor says a foreign link is possible to the dozens of Stars of David stenciled around Paris
By Associated Press — November 8, 2023
PARIS (AP) — Two couples who allegedly stenciled dozens of blue Stars of David on buildings in Paris last week are linked by a third party living abroad.
Catholics in Ukraine struggle as Pope Francis’ approval rating is at an all-time low
By Claire Giangravé — September 14, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis and Ukraine have a different vision for peace in the region.
The Eastern Orthodox bishop who loves animated movies
By Clément Girardot — September 13, 2023
(RNS) — Bishop Isaiah is the unlikely founder of a successful animation film festival that takes place every September in a rural community.
In Mongolia, Pope Francis will bring his vision for the church to ‘small flock’
By Claire Giangravé — August 29, 2023
(RNS) — Francis will be the first pontiff to visit Mongolia, a country nestled between Russia and China.
Russian lawmakers move to further restrict transgender rights in new legislation
By Dasha Litvinova — July 14, 2023
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — There is little doubt that the bill, a crippling blow to Russia's oppressed LGBTQ+ community, will be adopted amid the Kremlin's crusade to protect what it views as the country's “traditional values.”
Survey: Drop in Eastern European antisemitism may be due to Zelenskyy effect
By Yonat Shimron — May 31, 2023
(RNS) — As arguably the world’s most famous Jew, he may also be contributing to a decline in antisemitic attitudes not only in Ukraine but also in neighboring Poland to the west and Russia to the east.
Can Pope Francis bring peace to Ukraine?
By Thomas Reese — May 31, 2023
(RNS) — The pope’s refusal to cheer either side in this war gives him credibility as mediator.
What is a pogrom? Israeli mob attack has put a century-old word in the spotlight
By Joshua Shanes — March 14, 2023
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Jewish history explains how the term ‘pogrom’ lives in Jewish collective memory and why its use can be highly contentious.
US targets Russian mercenary group over religious freedom
By Matthew Lee — December 4, 2022
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday placed a well-known Russian paramilitary organization on a list of religious freedom violators alongside a number of notorious terrorist organizations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced he had designated the Wagner Group as an “entity of particular concern” for its activities in the Central African Republic. Also […]
World Council of Churches head meets with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill
By Jack Jenkins — October 20, 2022
(RNS) — The Patriarch reportedly said churches 'must not add fuel to the fire' of political conflict but has been widely accused of doing just that.
At World Council of Churches gathering, Russian church keeps its membership
By Jack Jenkins — September 9, 2022
(RNS) — The 11th assembly of the World Council of Churches approved a statement on Thursday (Sept. 8) regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Patriarch Kirill cancels Kazakhstan trip and chance to meet with Pope Francis
By Jack Jenkins — August 24, 2022
(RNS) — For the second time this year, an in-person meeting between the two global religious leaders has fallen apart.
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