Russia

The Latest

Why Russia's new ban on Jehovah's Witnesses is so troubling

Apr 21, 2017

By Kevin J. Jones

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been banned as an extremist group in a Thursday Supreme Court decision that observers feared signaled... Read more

St. Basil’s Cathedral, St. Petersburg Russia.

Archbishop laments 'curse of terrorism' after St. Petersburg attack

Apr 3, 2017

Archbishop Paolo Pezzi of Moscow offered his prayers and condolences following a deadly explosion in the St. Petersburg metro on... Read more

Protestors take refuge and pray for peace in one of two tent-chapels on Maidan Square in Kiev.

As Ukraine conflict continues, Christians seek unity and peace

Sep 3, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

To overcome conflicts, to fight hatred with goodness, to make Ukraine a free and European country: these are the tasks... Read more

Church of the Resurrection, Russia.

New religious laws in Russia not expected to hurt Catholic Church

Jul 17, 2016

By Mary Farrow

Last week, despite protests from religious leaders and human rights groups, Russian president Vladimir Putin approved a new set of... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, prefect of the papal household, greets Russian president Vladimir Putin upon his arrival at the Vatican, June 10, 2015.

Ukraine crisis the focal point in Pope's discussion with Putin

Jun 10, 2015

By Elise Harris

In the second meeting between Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin, held on Wednesday at the Vatican, the discussion... Read more

A young religious sister prays at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Jan. 17, 2105.

Power of prayer: Contemplative cloisters coming to Crimea?

Mar 14, 2015

By Kate Veik

It’s been one year since fighting broke out in Ukraine. The death toll has surpassed 6,000. Almost 1 million people... Read more

Fr. Bohdan Kosteskiy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church ministers to the faithful in Crimea, October 2014.

Faith in the time of annexation: A tough choice for Crimea's Church

Nov 4, 2014

By Sofia Kochmar

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in March, religious groups there – aside from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) –... Read more

Protestors can take refuge and pray for peace in one of two tent-chapels on Maidan Square in Kiev.

Cardinal Dolan: Ukraine 'flowing with blood,' America must speak up

Sep 17, 2014

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has urged U.S. Catholics to listen to the “chilling” pleas of Greek-Catholic bishops who... Read more

Bishop Jacek Pyl, an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Odessa-Simferopol.

Catholics in Ukrainian border diocese face suffering, uncertainty

Sep 9, 2014

For Catholics in the southeast Ukrainian Diocese of Odessa-Simferopol, ongoing Russian control of Crimea has created serious challenges and “incredible... Read more

A prisoner receives Holy Communion at the Orthodox prison chapel in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Russian prison chaplain witnesses stories of conversion, hope

May 15, 2014

Despite its challenges, prison ministry in the Russian Federation is an important apostolate, changing lives and leading to conversions, a... Read more

Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin inside the Vatican on November 25, 2013.

Pope Francis' meeting with Putin zeros in on Middle East

Nov 27, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin's first-ever meeting this week mostly focused on the Middle East, particularly on the... Read more

CNA

Pope Francis to meet with Vladimir Putin

Nov 11, 2013

Pope Francis will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 25 at the Vatican, according to the director of... Read more