Attacks kill at least 60 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, church says The Ethiopian Orthodox Church reports that two attacks in Oromia have killed at least 60 Orthodox Christians The Independent UK · Oct 27
Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II, hailed as an 'epochal figure,' dies at 93 Georgia’s Patriarch Ilia II, the longtime head of the Georgian Orthodox Church and one of the country’s most influential figures, has died at the age of 93 The Independent UK · Mar 18
How the Orthodox church became a hybrid warfare weapon in Moldova's elections The Moldovan government and the EU denounced a Russian disruption campaign ahead of the 28 September elections in the country. Security experts in Chișinău say the Russian and the local Orthodox Churches are playing a destabilising role. Euronews · Sep 5, 2025
In bitter duel with Armenian church, PM Pashinyan offers to show he is not circumcised Pashinyan responded to a challenge by the Armenian Apostolic Church leader's spokesperson, saying he was ready to prove he had not been circumcised. Euronews · Jun 26, 2025
Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the Orthodox Church in Albania, dies at 95 Archbishop Anastasios, who revived the Orthodox Church of Albania after the fall of the communist regime in the country, has died The Independent UK · Jan 25, 2025
Greece Legalises Same-sex Marriage, Adoption Greece's parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly adopted a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption in a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government despite opposition from the powerful Orthodox Church. International Business Times · Feb 16, 2024
‘God of war’: Russian Orthodox Church stands by Putin, but at what cost? The head of the Russian Orthodox Church is the president’s spiritual leader, but he risks losing global clout. Al Jazeera · Feb 9, 2024
Orthodox Church lashes out at CM, alleges attempt to foment trouble The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church on Monday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of taking sides in the ongoing dispute between two factions of the Malankara Church. The Hindu · Feb 5, 2024
Orthodox Christmas: Why it's celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25 Some Eastern Orthodox churches will be observing Christmas on Sunday The Independent UK · Jan 6, 2024
Ukrainians Defy Moscow With First Dec. 25 Christmas Many Ukrainians will on Monday celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from the Orthodox Church observance of January 7 in a snub to Russia. International Business Times · Dec 24, 2023
Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the Church Greece’s center-right government says it will fulfill a commitment to legalize same-sex marriage, sidestepping political dissent and staunch opposition from the country’s influential Orthodox Church The Independent UK · Dec 21, 2023
Ukraine moves official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25, denouncing Russian-imposed traditions Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a law moving the official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, the day when the Russian Orthodox Church observes it The Independent UK · Jul 29, 2023
Cyprus ex-bishop who indecently assaulted teen girl in 1981 gets suspended sentence A court in Cyprus on Thursday sentenced a former bishop in the Greek Orthodox Church to a 12-month suspended sentence after he was found guilty of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl 42 years ago The Independent UK · Jun 1, 2023
What happened in the Russia-Ukraine war this week? Catch up with the must-read news and analysis What prompted Xi Jinping and Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s phone call; Ukraine’s Orthodox church faces scrutiny The Guardian - AU · Apr 28, 2023
Reuters · Apr 25, 2023 Patriarch says Russians who don't serve country are 'internal enemies' The head of Russia's powerful Orthodox Church on Tuesday branded Russians who fail to serve their country as "internal enemies" and described patriotism as the "greatest virtue", the RIA state news agency reported.
The Guardian - UK · Apr 25, 2023 The enemy within? Ukraine’s Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church faces scrutiny Church alleged to be arm of the Kremlin – disguising Russian propaganda as religious teachings
Reuters · Apr 15, 2023 Russia's Putin attends midnight Orthodox Easter service in Moscow President Vladimir Putin on Sunday attended an Easter service conducted by the Russian Orthodox Church, which has strongly backed the Kremlin leader's decision to invade Ukraine.
Al Jazeera · Apr 10, 2023 Zelenskyy condemns Russian strikes on Orthodox Palm Sunday Ukrainian president labels Russia ‘terrorist state’ in address decrying attacks coinciding with Easter celebrations.
Reuters · Mar 29, 2023 Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers gather in Kyiv monastery as eviction looms Hundreds of worshippers gathered at a Kyiv monastery on Wednesday for what could be the last service their branch of the Orthodox Church holds there because it faces eviction following allegations it has links to Moscow.
Reuters · Mar 22, 2023 Ecumenical patriarch: Russian Church shares blame for 'crimes' in Ukraine The spiritual head of the world's Orthodox Christians said on Wednesday that Russia's powerful Orthodox Church shared responsibility for the conflict in Ukraine but that he stood ready to help in Russia's postwar "spiritual regeneration".
WEKU · Feb 25, 2023 Turkey's Antakya is in ruins after the quake, erasing cultural and religious heritage The city of Antakya, known in antiquity as Antioch, was at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. After the Feb. 6 earthquake, many of its centuries-old monuments and sites lie in ruins.
Reuters · Feb 21, 2023 Ukraine trades 'collaborator' clergy for POWs in swaps with Russia Ukraine has exchanged a number of clergymen from a minority branch of the Orthodox Church with historically close ties to Moscow to win the release of soldiers captured in Russia's invasion, two security officials said.
Reuters · Feb 16, 2023 Ethiopian Orthodox Church reaches deal with breakaway Oromo synod The influential Ethiopian Orthodox Church said late on Wednesday it had reached an agreement with a breakaway synod from the Oromiya region following deadly violence that killed dozens and led to partial internet shutdowns.
Reuters · Feb 10, 2023 Social media restricted in Ethiopia after church rift turns violent Access to social media platforms has been restricted in Ethiopia, Internet watchdog NetBlocks said, following violent protests sparked by a rift within the country's Orthodox Church.
The Conversation · Feb 7, 2023 Many Ukrainians are fleeing to the Greek Catholic Church in Lviv, which has a long and complex history in the Orthodox faith Since Russia invaded Ukraine, millions of refugees have fled westward to escape the fighting. Many have sought shelter in Ukraine’s westernmost city, Lviv, a historic center of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which has been providing essential services with the help of international Catholic charity networks. A major center of…