More than fifteen policemen killed in terrorist act in Dagestan, Six militants killed

More than fifteen police officers became victims of the militant’s attack in Dagestan, head of the region Sergey Melikov said.

Israeli armed forces destroy Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza, there are wounded

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrios in the Gaza Strip was destroyed by Israeli bombing, and there were casualties, Greek public television ERT reported, citing the Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip.

Zelenskyy Introduces Bill On Moving Christmas Celebration In Ukraine From Jan 7 To Dec 25

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday introduced a bill to the Ukrainian parliament to move the Christmas Day celebrations in the country from January 7 to December 25 in order to "abandon the Russian legacy."

US provoked current processes in world Orthodoxy to weaken Russia — MFA

The US is largely responsible for provoking the current processes in the world’s Orthodoxy, its aim being to weaken Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told the media on Wednesday.

Ukraine’s security service raids Kyiv monastery, suspects Russian subversive activities

Ukraine’s SBU security service and police raided a 1,000-year-old Orthodox Christian monastery in Kyiv early on Tuesday as part of operations to counter suspected “subversive activities by Russian special services,” the SBU said.

Holy Fire Descends in Jerusalem as Christians Preparing to Celebrate Easter

Holy Fire descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Israeli city of Jerusalem.

Nothing will keep Republika Srpska (RS) in Bosnia unless powers are restored

Milorad Dodik says nobody will be able to keep the RS in Bosnia unless its original powers, stemming from the Dayton peace agreement, are restored.

Putin calls for popularization of Crimean origins of the Orthodox faith

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for popularization of archaeological tourism and the Crimean origins of the Orthodox faith.

Orthodox Christians mark ‘Holy Fire’ rite in Jerusalem

Thousands of Christian pilgrims filled Jerusalem's ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday for the "Holy Fire" ceremony on the eve of Orthodox Easter.

Joint statements of Deputy PM and FM Venizelos and His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa, following their meeting. -MFA

MFA, Friday, 28 March 2014
E. VENIZELOS: His Beatitude and I cooperate very closely, because he monitors the issues that concern an exceptionally critical region. He is fully apprised of the developments in Egypt, where he is a major and broadly recognized figure. He has very close relations with General Al-Sisi, who is one of the candidates for president of Egypt, and of course he follows all the issues on the great African continent very closely.

We had the opportunity to talk about ecclesiastical issues as well, following the Synaxis of the Primates of the Orthodox Churches, in Istanbul, as well issues of Mediterranean and African policy, which are of very great importance, and I thank him warmly for his help.

Syrian Christians pray for peace on Christmas Eve (PHOTOS RT)

As disastrous civil war continues to ravage Syria, Christian communities across the country gathered to attend Christmas masses and pray for peace in the strife-torn land after almost two years of violence.
"I pray that peace and safety returns to the hearts of all Syrians," Heba Shawi, a Catholic attending mass at Notre Dame church in the Damascus district of Qusur told AFP. "I hope the smiles come back to children's faces."
Bishop Joseph al-Absi, who led the mass at the Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral in Damsacus, prayed for peace in Syria, asking God to protect the country and it leadership, according to SANA news agency.

'Holy Fire' lights up Jerusalem church for Easter ...

Thousands of Orthodox Christians filled Jerusalem's ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre and spilled out into the narrow streets on Saturday for the "Holy Fire" ceremony on the eve of Orthodox Easter.

Believers hold that the fire is miraculously sent from heaven to ignite candles held by the Greek Orthodox patriarch in an annual rite dating back to the 4th century that symbolises the resurrection of Jesus.

Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said around 10,000 faithful packed into the church, with thousands more outside in the streets of the surrounding Old City. She said there were about 20,000 people last year.