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Ukraine adopts “historic” law to ban Russia-linked minority church

Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukrainian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a law envisaging a ban on the activities of a Russia-linked branch of the Orthodox church, paving the way for a historic rupture with an institution that Kyiv has accused of complicity in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. A majority of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians but the faith […]

Protest in Georgian capital amid anger over “desecration” of Stalin icon

Tbilisi, Georgia Reuters A large protest was held in Tbilisi on Saturday to demand harsh punishment for a woman accused of defacing a religious icon depicting Soviet dictator Josef Stalin which was recently-installed in the Georgian capital. The suspect is alleged to have splashed paint on the icon, which was on display in the city’s […]

Bulgarians, Greeks celebrate Epiphany with traditional rituals

Bulgaria Kalofer Epiphany2

Sofia, Bulgaria/Athens, Greece AP Thousands of young men are plunging into rivers and lakes across Bulgaria to retrieve crucifixes, in an old ritual marking the feast of Epiphany. By tradition, a crucifix is cast into the waters of a lake or river, and it is believed that the person who retrieves it will be freed […]

New survey of US Jews reveals worries, strengths, divisions

US NYC South Willliamsburg Orthodox Jews

United States AP A comprehensive new survey of Jewish Americans finds them increasingly worried about anti-Semitism, proud of their cultural heritage and sharply divided about the importance of religious observance in their lives.  The survey, released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center, estimated the total Jewish population in the country at 7.5 million — about 2.3 […]

Ukrainian artist couple turns military ammo boxes into Christian icons

Ukraine ammo boxes to icons1

Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Visiting a military base in 2014, Ukrainian artist and icon painter Oleksandr Klymenko was struck by how much the bottom and cover of a wooden ammunition box could resemble a Christian icon panel.  He borrowed one of the boxes from the base and painted a Byzantine icon featuring the Virgin Mary holding […]

Belgium religious faiths want more worshippers at services

Belgium Antwerp St Charles Borromeo Church

AP Representatives of the religious faiths recognised in Belgium have joined forces to urge federal authorities to increase the number of people admitted inside places of worship during the coronavirus pandemic. Under the current COVID-19 rules, such places can accommodate up to 15 people. In a letter to Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, the religious […]