AN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Russia's Dagestan attack: MMA fighter, officials' relatives identified among gunmen
Authorities in Russia's Dagestan region have identified key figures among the assailants in Sunday's deadly attacks on places of worship, which killed at least 20 people. The attackers, including a former MMA fighter and relatives of a regional official, targeted sites in Derbent and Makhachkala. The violence resulted in the deaths of 15 police officers, four civilians, and an Orthodox priest. Regional head Sergei Melikov announced the dismissal and expulsion of the district head linked to the attackers. Dagestan declared three days of mourning following the attacks.
Gunmen kill 20 at worship sites in Russia's Dagestan
Gunmen launched attacks at a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police post in Russia's Dagestan region, killing an Orthodox priest, multiple police officers, and civilians. The governor of Dagestan called it a "day of tragedy," with over 20 killed in what is believed to be a terrorist attack. Five gunmen were shot and killed. Days of mourning have been declared, and flags are at half-staff. The attackers' identities and motives are under investigation.
Gunmen fire on targets in Russia's North Caucasus, 6 police killed, officials say
Gunmen opened fire at a synagogue and an Orthodox church in Derbent, home to an ancient Jewish community and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan. The Interior Ministry reported casualties, including six policemen killed and 12 injured. Street fights erupted in Makhachkala, with police actions anticipated in Derbent.
Congress, BJP slam Kerala CM for 'ignorant' remark against priest
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark on a priest as "ignorant" for criticizing the ruling Left for its defeat in the Lok Sabha polls has been condemned by the opposition Congress and the BJP. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala mocked Vijayan's habit of terming priests "wretched creatures" and "ignorant," while BJP leader V Muraleedharan criticized Vijayan's intolerant attitude towards those who disagree with him.
Australian watchdog drops court fight with X over violent posts
Australia's online watchdog on Wednesday dropped a legal effort to force Elon Musk's X to remove posts depicting the violent stabbing of a Sydney priest. The watchdog had ordered Musk's company to globally remove about 65 video and audio clips of the April 15 non-fatal attack in a church.
Australian police execute search warrants as part of a 'major operation' over church stabbings
The Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes federal and state police as well as the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the nation's main domestic spy agency, said in a statement there is no current threat to public safety.
- Go To Page 1
Tensions rise in Australia after a bishop and priest are wounded in a knife attack in a church
The 16-year-old was overpowered by the shocked congregation at Christ the Good Shepherd Church after he allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during a service on Monday night that was being streamed online.
Greece just legalized same-sex marriage. Will other Orthodox countries join them any time soon?
Greece has become the first majority-Orthodox Christian nation to legalize same-sex marriage under civil law. However, most majority-Orthodox countries, including Russia, remain opposed to same-sex relationships. Montenegro and Cyprus have also authorized same-sex unions, and civil unions may become more common among Orthodox countries gravitating toward the European Union. In Ukraine, same-sex couples cannot register their status legally, and in Russia, LGBTQ+ expression has been cracked down upon.
On Orthodox Christmas, Putin vows to back soldiers who 'defend' Russia
Amid Orthodox Christmas, President Putin pledges support to soldiers defending Russia, emphasizing their courage. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a focal point, with both sides engaging in intensified airstrikes and ongoing clashes. Putin calls for greater government support for fallen soldiers' families but refrains from calling for a ceasefire. He emphasizes traditional values, aligning with the Orthodox Church, while tensions persist and affect bordering areas, notably canceling Christmas Eve services in a city hit by cross-border attacks.
Moscow's 'almost naked' party sparks outrage amid war crisis, celebrities face backlash
Amid Russia's Ukraine conflict, Moscow's 'Almost Naked' party stirred controversy. Celebrities faced backlash at the event hosted by Anastasia Ivleeva. Rapper Vacio's jail term and fine followed a court ruling citing 'non-traditional sexual relationships' promotion. Apologies emerged, lawsuits loomed, and repercussions hit attendees like pop star Anna Asti. Kremlin stayed mum, while activists and officials condemned the event's timing amidst military operations. The uproar spotlighted clashes between entertainment, values, and ongoing crises, triggering widespread critique.
Spain seizes ancient gold jewellery stolen from Ukraine
Spanish police have seized gold artefacts worth over €60 million ($64 million) that were stolen from Ukraine and illegally taken out of the country. The 11 pieces, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, were smuggled out of Ukraine before 2016 and were going to be sold in Madrid. Three Spanish and two Ukrainian nationals, including an Orthodox Church priest, were arrested in connection with the operation. The artefacts, which date back to the 8th and 4th centuries BC, had forged documents to make it appear as if they belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Gaza war death toll rises to 4,137: Hamas health ministry
Witnesses said the strike on the Palestinian enclave appeared to have been aimed at a target close to the place of worship where many Gaza residents had taken refuge as the war raged in the Palestinian enclave. The army said its fighter jets had struck a "command and control centre" belonging to Hamas that was involved in firing rockets towards Israel.
Israel levels Gaza district, missile hits Orthodox church
Israel has escalated its attacks on Gaza, destroying a district and targeting an Orthodox Christian church. The Israeli government has indicated that a command to invade Gaza is imminent. US President Joe Biden has called on Americans to provide additional financial support to Israel in its fight against Hamas. Israel has been conducting air strikes on Gaza and has imposed a total siege on the region, resulting in thousands of Palestinian deaths and the displacement of over a million people. The conflict is also spreading to other fronts, including the West Bank and the Lebanon-Israel border.
Russian strike on Ukraine's Odesa badly damages landmark Orthodox cathedral; 1 dead, many wounded
After the fires were put out at the Orthodox cathedral, volunteers donned hard hats, shovels and brooms to begin removing rubble, combing through to salvage any artifacts — under the watchful gaze of the saints whose paintings remained intact. Local officials said the icon of the patroness of the city was retrieved from under the rubble.
Family to fulfil Chandy's wish for a common man's burial without state honours
Burials or cremations of former chief ministers of the state are usually held with full state honours after the performance of religious rituals, if any. In 2010, Congress stalwart and four-time Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran was cremated with full state honours. While there were no religious rituals performed before the cremation of Communist Chief Ministers like EMS Namboodiripad and E K Nayanar, who died in 1998 and 2004, respectively, they were accorded full state honours.
PM Modi meets top Bishops of Kerala
The Prime Minister also met the senior priest of the Latin Catholic Church Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, Archbishop of Knanaya Church Mathew Moolakkatt, Archbishop of the Knanaya Jacobite Archdiocese Kuriakose Mar Severios, and Metropolitan of the Chaldean Syrian Church Mar Awgin Kuriakose, BJP sources said.
Holy Saturday 2023: Significance, observances of final day of Christian holy week
Holy Saturday is the final day of Holy Week and is observed the day before Easter Sunday. It is a day of deep reflection and mourning for Christians, as they contemplate the sacrifice that Jesus made for their sins.
Centre trying to sort out problems of minorities, says Orthodox Syrian Bishop
Orthodox Syrian Bishop called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday and extended him an invitation to visit his church headquarters in Kerala when he visits the state next. "I explained to him about functioning of the church and welfare work done and invited him to visit the church headquarters in Kerala," Mathews said.
What is Ash Wednesday? Here’s all you need to know about the holy day observed by Christians
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season for Christians worldwide, during which they observe prayer, fasting, and receive ashes on their foreheads.
Moscow ends self-proclaimed ceasefire, vows to press ahead in Ukraine
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Russia is planning a major new offensive. The Pentagon said on Friday that Putin's aim of seizing Ukrainian territory has not changed, even if his military continues to suffer blows. There has been growing concerns that Belarus - a staunch backer of Moscow - could be used as a staging post to attack Ukraine from the north after increasing military activity in the country and fresh transfer of Russian troops there.
Moscow ends self-proclaimed ceasefire, vows to press ahead in Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin ordered on Friday a 36-hour ceasefire along the line of contact to observe Russia and Ukraine's Orthodox Christmas, which fell on Saturday. Ukraine had rejected the truce, and there was shelling along the frontline.
Putin orders 36-hour weekend cease-fire in Ukraine
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said Thursday at least five civilians were killed and eight wounded across the country by Russian shelling in the previous 24 hours. The ongoing intense battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut has left 60% of the city in ruins, Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said Thursday. Ukrainian defenders were holding the Russians back, but the Kremlin's forces have pummeled the city with months of relentless shelling.
Russia protests pope comments as Vatican seeks to mediate
The Kremlin's ambassador to the Holy See, Alexander Avdeev, told the RIA Novosti agency that he met Monday with a Vatican official to express his "indignation" about Francis' comments, which were contained in an interview with the Jesuit magazine America that was published Monday.
All Souls’ Day: History, significance and all you need to know
All Souls’ Day is the of the Allhallowtide triduum. The day is marked on November 2, 2022, across the world after Halloween and All Saints’ Day.
View: Will the real brand owner please stand up
With religion itself having split over time into religion and politics - in some places the cleavage not really ever taking place - it's political parties splitting that makes the pleasant 'pop' sound. Last week, the good old Shiv Sena, now under an intellectual (sic) property dispute, was officially given two separate identities when the Election Commission okayed two names and two election symbols for the two Senas.
500-year-old icon of Enthroned Christ looted from divided Cyprus repatriated
The Cyprus Church traced the icon to an auction in Switzerland, and Swiss police seized it in 2014.
UK to send US-made rocket systems to Ukraine
The Slovak Defence Ministry announced the deal between the state-run Konstrukta Defence company and the Ukrainian side on Thursday. Unlike previous arms supplies from Slovakia to Ukraine, this is a commercial deal. Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad says it's worth more than 40 million euros ($43 million). Among other arms, Slovakia previously donated a Soviet-era S-300 air defense system at the request of the Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russian Orthodox Church scolds Pope Francis after 'Putin's altar boy' remark
Francis told Italy's Corriere Della Sera newspaper that Kirill, who has given the Ukraine war his backing, "cannot become [President Vladimir] Putin's altar boy".
Load More
