Patriarch Kirill Archives

Lockdown weighs heavily on Orthodox Christians during Easter

Apr 17, 2020

For Orthodox Christians, this is normally a time of reflection and mourning followed by joyful release, of centuries-old ceremonies steeped in symbolism and tradition. But this year, Easter — by far the most significant religious holiday for the world’s roughly 300 million Orthodox — has essentially been cancelled.

By Elena Becatoros and Daria Litvinova

In heart of Muslim world, Pope calls for true religious freedom

Feb 4, 2019

Extolling religious freedom on Monday, Pope Francis said, ““What we are called to do as believers is to commit ourselves to the equal dignity of all, in the name of the Merciful One who created us.”

By Inés San Martín

Russian patriarch sends message to UAE interreligious event ahead of pope’s speech

Feb 4, 2019

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, although not attending the Human Fraternity Meeting, sent a message to the conference condemning using religion as a basis for violence.

By Inés San Martín

Ukraine Orthodox leaders to approve break with Russia church

Dec 15, 2018

Ukrainian Orthodox leaders on Saturday approved the creation of a unified church independent of the Moscow Patriarchate and elected a leader to head that new church — a move that could exponentially raise tensions with neighboring Russia.

By Yuras Karmanau and Efrem Lukatsky

Orthodox Church to move forward with Ukrainian independence

Oct 12, 2018

Ukraine’s president on Thursday hailed the announcement by Orthodoxy’s Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that it will move forward with granting Ukrainian clerics independence from the Russian Orthodox Church.

By Yuras Karmanu