Orthodox Archives

Bari trip gives Pope a chance to help save Christianity in the Middle East

Feb 19, 2020

A lethal combination of insecurity, political chaos, economic stagnation and outright persecution have created a toxic environment in the Middle East – for almost everyone, of course, but in a special way for Christians.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Pope apologizes to gypsies for ‘discrimination and segregation’

Jun 2, 2019

“History tells us that Christians too, including Catholics, are not strangers to such evil. I would like to ask your forgiveness for this,” Pope Francis said while telling Romania’s gypsies that he’s sorry for their mistreatment.

By Claire Giangravè

In Europe, faith’s stronger in post-Soviet East than secular West

Dec 6, 2018

As secularism mounts in Western Europe, Central and Eastern European countries still hold on to faith.

By Claire Giangravè

Female envoys to Vatican say it’s past time for Church to empower women

Sep 25, 2017

Three female ambassadors from different parts of the world and of different religious beliefs all agree that the Vatican is a pretty cozy place for women diplomats, but they also concur that when it comes to the role of women in the decision making process inside the Church, there’s still a long way to go.

By Christopher White and Inés San Martín

‘Benedict Option’ aims to balance withdrawal, faithful presence

Mar 20, 2017

Just as Czech dissidents did under communism, so too Christians today in America face the challenge of building an alternative culture within a society fundamentally hostile to them, author Rod Dreher believes. He explores what that task might look like in his book ‘The Benedict Option.’

By Christopher White

Prince Charles likens anti-Christian attacks to ‘dark days of 1930s’

Dec 23, 2016

In a powerful reflection on BBC radio drawing attention to what he calls the ‘evil persecution’ of Christians and people of other faiths driven from the Middle East, Prince Charles has also urged a policy of welcome to refugees.

By Austen Ivereigh