Russian Orthodox Church

The Latest

Russian Orthodox leader Metropolitan Hilarion speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 6, 2021.

Metropolitan Hilarion: Catholics, Eastern Orthodox are united in belief in Christ’s Real Presence

Sep 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

Metropolitan Hilarion delivered the opening catechesis at the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary. Read more

Burned car in the center of city after unrest in Odesa, Ukraine.

'Somebody is killed every day': Bishop pleads for Christians to remember Ukraine

Mar 12, 2020

By Matt Hadro

With global attention focused on the coronavirus outbreak, Ukrainian Catholic bishop has urged Christians not to forget their suffering brethren in... Read more

Intercontinental ballistic missile Topol-M exhibited at the annual Victory day Parade dress rehearsal on May 6, 2012 in Moscow, Russia.

Russian Orthodox Church considers ending blessings for nuclear weapons

Jul 10, 2019

The Russian Orthodox Church is debating an end to the practice of blessing large scale weapons, including nuclear missiles.   Read more

Pope Francis greets Russian President Vladimir July 4, 2019.

Putin visits Pope Francis on July 4th

Jul 4, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis at the Vatican July 4 for a 55-minute private discussion about international... Read more

Bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral, Sofiivska Square, Kyiv, Ukraine.

In major break over Ukraine, Russian Orthodox Church splits from Constantinople

Oct 15, 2018

The Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow has cut ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, claiming his recognition... Read more

Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Vatican, June 10, 2015.

Russians hacked Catholic, Orthodox clergy amid Ukrainian push for autocephaly

Sep 7, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Russian hackers infiltrated the email inboxes of Orthodox, Catholic, and other religious leaders connected to Ukraine amid conflict between Kyiv... Read more

Parolin, Kirill: we have reached a 'new stage' in Church relations

Aug 23, 2017

By Elise Harris

After a joint meeting during Cardinal Pietro Parolin's visit to Russia this week, both he and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill... Read more

Our Lady of Kazan.

Our Lady of Kazan and Mary's affinity for Russia

Aug 12, 2017

By Elise Harris

One hundred years ago, at the height of a cultural about-face in Russia, Mary appeared to three shepherd children in... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin says Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, April 27, 2017.

Cardinal Parolin says urgency of peace a key reason for Russia trip

Aug 9, 2017

By Elise Harris

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has said he will be going to Russia Aug. 20-24 largely out of... Read more

Members of the commission for dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches outside the shrine of the Holy Face in Manoppello, Italy, Sept. 18, 2016.

Catholics, Orthodox sign agreement on synodality and primacy

Sep 23, 2016

At an ecumenical gathering held this week, representatives of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches signed a joint document regarding synodality... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk speaks to CNA at the Vatican, Oct. 9, 2015.

What Archbishop Shevchuk saw in the meeting of the Pope and Patriarch Kirill

Feb 24, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

What’s next for ecumenism? After the recent meeting between Pope Francis and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, the head of... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba on Feb. 12, 2016.

'We are brothers' – Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill hold historic meeting

Feb 12, 2016

Christian brotherhood and unity were the focus of Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill when they met on Friday... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Patriarch Kirill.

Full text of joint declaration signed by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill

Feb 12, 2016

In a historic first, Pope Francis on Friday met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.  Read more

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Four reasons why Pope Francis will meet with Patriarch Kirill

Feb 11, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The first, historic meeting between a Pope and a Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church does not come from nowhere.... Read more

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (L)

'First in history' – Pope Francis to meet Russian Patriarch in Cuba

Feb 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Friday the Vatican announced that while on his way to Mexico, Pope Francis will stop in Cuba to meet... Read more

An Iranian soldier standing guard with an AK-47.

AK-47 designer felt 'unbearable' pain for rifle deaths

Jan 15, 2014

According to a Russian daily, Mikhail Kalashnikov wrote a letter more than six months before his death expressing repentance for... Read more