Latest Church Headlines and News updates

Serbian Patriarch Describes Constantinople Decision on Ukraine as Catastrophic Move

German police not ruling out 'terror' motive in hostage drama

Russian Orthodox Church Says Istanbul-Based Patriarchate Claims Nonexistent Privilege

Lebanese Orthodox Party Backs Russian Orthodox Church in Severing Ties With Constantinople

Russian Orthodox Church Rules Out Revision of 1686 Act

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on Monday called "canonically insignificant" the decision of the Constantinople Patriarchate to cancel the act of 1686 on transfer of the Kiev Metropolia under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Constantinople Deepens Suffering of Canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church - ROC Synod

Decisions of the Constantinople Patriarchate to legalize schismatic structures in Ukraine deepens the suffering of parishioners of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church said Monday

Three wounded in Cologne hostage-taking: police

German police said Monday they ended a hostage-taking in a pharmacy in Cologne's main train station, gravely wounding the alleged perpetrator after he himself injured two people.

ROC Laity Not to Be Allowed to Take Communion in Constantinople's Churches - Hilarion

Parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) will not be allowed to take communion in churches of the Constantinople Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, said Monday.

Russian Orthodox Church Says Hopes Poroshenko to Keep Promise Not to Persecute Believers

The Russian Orthodox Church hopes Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will keep his promise not to persecute believers of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, said Monday.

Russian Orthodox Church Decides to Suspend Full Communion With Constantinople Patriarchate

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to suspend full communion with the Constantinople Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, said Monday.

Christian Stronghold in Demilitarized Zone Bordering Syria's Idlib

One of the main rules of survival in northern Syria is not to take the wrong turn when one road leads deep into the militant-held province of Idlib and the second one leading up to the Turkish border, but through the town of Al-Suqaylabiyah, controlled by an Orthodox Christian militia.

Minsk Opposes Orthodox Church Split, Wary of Negative Consequences - Belarusian President

Minsk is opposed to any split in the Orthodox Church and "sensitive" to the situation with Ukraine's autocephaly bid, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said Monday at a meeting with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Over 40 injured in multi-vehicle crash in LA

At least 40 people were injured, including five seriously, after a series of crashes involving a bus in Los Angeles, said local authorities on Sunday

Kiev Efforts to Create Independent Church Weaken Prospects for Reunion With Donbas- Expert

Kiev's attempts to establish a single independent church in the country or the so-called Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church as well as efforts to limit the use of the Russian language are weakening the prospects for reunification with Donbas, Russia's Center for Current Policy Director Alexey Chesnakov told Sputnik.

Some 100 People Seen Near Kiev Pechersk Lavra Taken to Police Station - Statement