Vladimir Putin
A Russian Orthodox priest who took part in services for Navalny is suspended by the patriarch
By The Associated Press — April 24, 2024
(AP) – Dmitry Safronov held a memorial service by Navalny’s grave in Moscow on March 26 to mark 40 days since the politician’s death, an important ritual within Russian Orthodox tradition.
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.
A call for Christian leaders to denounce the Russian Orthodox Church
By Mark Silk — February 22, 2024
(RNS) — Calling out leaders who seem to consider it bad ecumenical manners to tell the Russian patriarch he’s wrong.
Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict
By The Associated Press — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Orthodox Christians packed churches Saturday night for Christmas Eve services, a holiday overshadowed for many believers by conflict.
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.
Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country
By David I. Klein — October 19, 2023
(RNS) — Draft law 8371, which requires another vote before moving to the president’s desk, would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those whose leadership is outside of Ukraine.
Russian Orthodox Church appoints Putin’s spiritual adviser metropolitan of Crimea
By David I. Klein — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — In March, Metropolitan Tikhon was seen at Putin's side as the president made his first visit to Crimea since full-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.
Vatican seeks to tamp down outrage over pope’s words of praise for Russian imperial past
By Nicole Winfield — August 29, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican spokesman said Francis merely wanted to praise the positive aspects of Russia’s spiritual and cultural history when he exalted Russia’s imperial rulers Peter and Catherine the Great.
On global warming, yes, there is hope
By Thomas Reese — August 15, 2023
(RNS) — The good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough.
Russian patriarch reminds Africans of advantages in following Kremlin’s lead
By Tom Heneghan — August 2, 2023
(RNS) — Kirill's appearance underlined the importance of the soft-power influence that the Russian Orthodox Church exerts for Moscow in Africa.
Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions
By Felipe Dana and Dasha Litvinova — July 31, 2023
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The explanatory note attached to the law said its goal is to “abandon the Russian heritage,” including that of “imposing the celebration of Christmas” on Jan. 7
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.”
Pope Francis’ trip to Mongolia in September will be closely watched by Russia and China
By Associated Press — July 7, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The visit is steeped in geopolitical significance as it will be closely watched by both Russia, which controlled Mongolia during the Soviet era, and China, which is seeking to exert its influence through the Belt and Road initiative.
Pope’s peace envoy arrives in Moscow after the short-lived Wagner rebellion
By Nicole Winfield — June 27, 2023
ROME (AP) — It follows Zuppi's visit to Kyiv earlier this month, which the Vatican described as an initiative to try to find paths of peace.
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.
Page 1 of 8
