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The Latest Breaking News from The Russian Orthodox Church

Hybrid war or holy war: Do IS and Russia share the same playbook?

The so-called Islamic State group and Russia use similar tactics: propaganda, disinformation, and targeted recruitment of vulnerable groups. Hybrid warfare today, terrorism back then – methods designed to destabilise societies.

Euronews

Orthodox patriarch defends recognition of an independent Ukrainian church

The spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians has defended his 2019 decision to recognize an independent church in Ukraine

The Independent UK

A US Orthodox nun became an online influencer. Then she spoke out against the war

Sister Vassa Larin was widely known for teaching thousands on YouTube about saints and holy days

The Independent UK

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(Un)orthodox intelligence operations: How Russia is using its churches abroad

Sweden is reportedly probing a Russian Orthodox church in the town of Västerås over possible hybrid warfare techniques, a new investigation shows.

Euronews

Russian priest arrested during Sunday service for 2014 photo with Ukrainian flag

Nikolai Savchenko said police came to his St Petersburg church during Sunday service to detain him

Evening Standard

Is Ukraine’s largest church still pro-Russian?

Ukraine is preparing to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for a second year but divisions persist.

Al Jazeera

Ukraine Bans Religious Groups Tied To Russian Orthodox Church

Ukraine's parliament passes bill banning Russian Orthodox Church-linked groups amid conflict, highlighting religious and cultural tensions.

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Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 908

As the war enters its 908th day, these are the main developments.

Al Jazeera

Ukraine's parliament approves ban on Moscow-linked religious groups. One church is seen as a target

Ukraine’s parliament has banned the activities of religious groups tied to the Russian Orthodox Church or any other faith group supporting Russia’s invasion

The Independent UK

Russian artist released in swap builds a new life in Germany, now free to marry her partner

Sasha Skochilenko and Sofya Subbotina are planning to get married

The Independent UK

Ukraine war: religious leaders are playing an important (and unusual) role

The Russian Orthodox Church has approved a statement describing Russia’s “special military operation” as a holy war, arguing that all of Ukraine should be Russia’s exclusive zone of influence. Said Ismagilov, one of Ukraine’s top muslim leaders, joined the armed forces to fight against Russia’s mass invasion, claiming a Quranic…

The Conversation

Gunmen Kill 19 In Russia's Dagestan Region

Attacks on churches and synagogues in Russia's Dagestan region killed 15 police officers and four civilians, officials said on Monday, stoking fears over Islamist violence in the historically restive North Caucasus.

International Business Times

Gunmen In Russia's Dagestan Kill Police And Priest In 'Terror' Attack

Gunmen attacked churches and synagogues in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday, killing at least eight police and national guard officers and a priest, officials said.

International Business Times

The Guardian view on Patriarch Kirill’s support for Putin’s war: betraying the faith

Editorial: With talk of ‘holy’ conflict, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church is bringing the institution he heads into disrepute

The Guardian - UK

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Top News

Russian Orthodox Priest Suspended For Navalny Services Participation

Patriarch Kirill suspends priest for involvement in services for late opposition leader Navalny. Close ties between Russian Orthodox Church and Putin's gov...

Al Jazeera

‘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

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 691

Here is the situation as the war enters its 691st day.

The Independent UK

Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict

Orthodox Christians packed churches on Saturday night for Christmas Eve services, a holiday overshadowed for many believers by conflict

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Al Jazeera

Ukraine picks new Christmas date in break with Russian tradition

For the first time in a century, Ukraine will celebrate the holiday on December 25 rather than January 7.

International Business Times

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.

The Conversation

As Russia ramps up 'traditional values' rhetoric − especially against LGBTQ+ groups − it's won Putin far-right fans abroad

With LGBTQ+ rights continuing to expand across much of the world, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has doubled down on restricting them – and a new ruling has made the future even more uncertain for Russian LGBTQ+ groups and individuals.

The Independent UK

Beloved Russian singer who criticized Ukraine war returns home. The church calls for her apology

The Russian Orthodox Church has called for an apology from Alla Pugacheva, the country’s most renowned pop singer who returned home this week, over her criticism of Russia's war on Ukraine

Reason

Brickbat: Don't Get Cross

The Russian central bank has stopped circulation of a new 1,000-ruble note following complaints from some priests of the Russian Orthodox Church. The priests complained that the image on the note of a church in Tatarstan does not have a cross on it. But the real church also does not…

The Independent UK

On a US tour, Ukrainian faith leaders plead for continued support against the Russian invasion

A bishop from Ukraine has a succinct message for Americans: “Please, hear our cry.”

WEKU

Anger grows over Ukraine's largest Orthodox church, aligned with Moscow despite war

Millions of Ukrainians still worship in Orthodox churches deeply influenced by Russian clergy who support Moscow's invasion, sparking a clash of faith and national loyalty.

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