Eastern Orthodox Church

Russian and French leaders firm up cultural friendship after military, economic deals. Russia's president turned his attention away from French warships and toward icons and relics Tuesday as the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame cathedral pulled out the stops for Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Paris.

Viktor Yanukovych, expected to take Ukraine on a more pro-Russia course five years after the Orange Revolution, was sworn in on Thursday as the country's fourth president since independence.

British bishops urge Christians to go on environmentally friendly 'carbon fast' for Lent. Several prominent Anglican British bishops are urging Christians to keep their carbon consumption in check this Lent.

British bishops urge Christians to go on environmentally friendly 'carbon fast' for Lent. Several prominent Anglican British bishops are urging Christians to keep their carbon consumption in check this Lent.

Human rights activists: Religious freedoms in Russia being rapidly curtailed. Religious freedoms are being rapidly curtailed throughout Russia as the Orthodox Church seeks to boost its dominance, human rights activists warned Monday.

117 Russian Orthodox believers hospitalized after drinking holy water on Epiphany. More than 100 Russian Orthodox believers have been hospitalized after drinking holy water during Epiphany celebrations in the eastern city of Irkutsk, an official said Monday.

More than 100 Russian Orthodox believers have been hospitalized after drinking holy water during Epiphany celebrations in the eastern city of Irkutsk, an official said Monday.

Court orders Russian Orthodox Cathedral in southern France handed over to Russia. A French court ruled Wednesday that a Russian Orthodox cathedral built on the French Riviera nearly a century ago under Czar Nicholas II now belongs to Moscow.

Religion News in Brief. A devout Christian is asking London's High Court to force British Airways to admit it was wrong in demanding she stop wearing a Crucifix at work.

Scantily clad Orthodox Christians braved freezing temperatures throughout Russia on Tuesday to immerse themselves in ice holes in rivers and lakes to celebrate the Epiphany religious holiday.

Scantily clad Orthodox Christians braved freezing temperatures throughout Russia on Tuesday to immerse themselves in ice holes in rivers and lakes to celebrate the Epiphany religious holiday.

Russians brave minus 25 Celsius to plunge into icy waters in celebration of Epiphany. It's not exactly the Jordan River, but that isn't stopping Russian Orthodox believers from plunging into the icy Moscow River in their traditional Epiphany celebration.

QASR AL-YAHUD, West Bank (Reuters) - It took Andrei Borisovich a lifetime to follow in the footsteps of his forebears and make the pilgrimage from Russia to the Holy Land.

Thousands of Orthodox Christians braved rain on the banks of the Jordan river on Monday to plunge into plastic tubs filled with its murky water to celebrate Jesus's baptism.

Frozen Florida: icicles on palm trees, falling iguanas, earmuffs instead of flip-flops. Across the so-called Sunshine State, oranges and strawberries are freezing, icicles are hanging off palm fronds, and iguanas paralyzed by the cold are falling out of trees.

Orthodox Christmas celebrations kicked off in the traditional birthplace of Jesus on Wednesday to the sound of bagpipes and protests by Palestinians accusing church leaders of selling land to Israelis.

Russian Orthodox patriarch says homosexuality is choice that should not be punished. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church said Wednesday that although the church views homosexuality as a sin, gays should not face discrimination.

Moldovan officials say priest leads dozens smashing menorah with hammers in capital. Dozens of people led by an Orthodox priest smashed a menorah in Moldova's capital, using hammers and iron bars to remove the candelabra during Hanukkah, officials said.

When actress Bette Davis donated her papers to Boston University's Mugar Memorial Library in 1981, Bill Rouvalis's floral arrangements were chosen for the event. ``Bill watched several of her old movies and designed arrangements of rubrum lilies and white orchids in towering champagne flute containers to celebrate the famous diva's career,'' said his longtime friend, Olga Drepanos of Boston. When Yolanda Cellucci's daughter had a winter wedding 20 years ago, the owner of the bridal gown firm, Yolanda Enterprises of Waltham, chose Mr. Rouvalis to provide a setting reminiscent of the film ``Dr. Zhivago,'' her daughter's favorite. ``Bill had a magical touch,'' Cellucci said, recalling the white fur muff with white orchids on it instead of a bouquet. The setting was so spectacular, she said, it was televised for the show ``Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.'' Mr. Rouvalis's last triumph took place in October, when he was chosen to provide the floral arrangements for the rehearsal dinner at

Russia and the Vatican have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, ending long-standing tensions, the Kremlin announced Thursday after President Dmitry Medvedev met Pope Benedict XVI.