Patriarch Kirill, an enthusiastic backer of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, blessed icons and crosses that were to be engraved with the president's initials and sent to servicemen in the 34-month-old war in Ukraine,

Russia halted gas deliveries to the pro- Russia separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova on January 1. The people there are now really feeling the cold.The first week of the new year has been cold in Moldova.

Russia's invasion, which began in February 2022, has also been a source of religious controversy within the Eastern Orthodox Church and has driven a split among believers in both Russia and Ukraine.Vi

Area residents celebrated Russian Orthodox Christmas on Tuesday. A majority of Russian Orthodox churches worldwide use the Julian calendar, which celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7, instead of using

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent special Christmas gifts to commanders deployed in Ukraine, intended to salute their bravery and boost their morale. On Orthodox Christmas Day, Putin met with Patriarch Kirill,