Vladimir Rozanskij

President, Ukrainian parliament and Patriarch Filaret of Kiev have asked Bartholomew to grant autocephaly. Metropolitan Hilarion of Moscow warns against a schism. The Orthodox of Kiev would be - according to Filaret - "of the Europeans", different from the "Russian" ones. Not only a possible schism, but a new and stronger division in Europe.

On his visit to Albania, the Orthodox patriarch of Moscow invoked the unity of the Christian Churches to disarm religious radicalism. On the same day, his closest collaborator, Hilarion, pulled the breaks on ecumenical leaps. Between Catholics and Orthodox there is a common faith, but too many "contradictions and misunderstandings", such as the work of Card. Stepinac and that of the Greek-Catholics (uniates).

The restitution of Catholic religious buildings continues to meet with resistance from the authorities. The "breaking down" of the wall of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The re-consecration of a church in Ryazan and the pretexts for denying the restitution of the church of Kirov.

With a non-violent demonstration that gradually attracted the entire population, the leader of the small Elk party has brought down Sargsyan's designs on a lifetime of power. Putin's embarrassing silence.

Patriarchate of Constantinople under pressure to declare the autocephaly of all the Orthodox in Ukraine. A committee studies historical and theological aspects. Overt influence of political independence from Moscow, not only from the religious point of view. Hilarion: There are no negotiations.

According to scholar Tjundeshev, Batu Khan was the true founder of Russian statehood. China, India and Turkey also descend from the Tatars. For him, “it is so difficult for Russians to learn to be free; they always need a strong hand to rule them." Russia’s isolationism is also Tatar in nature. Foreigners are seen as enemies. Telegram, the instant messaging service, has been blocked.

A mass was celebrated on the Aurora, the cruiser linked to the first fundamental moments of the Bolshevik revolution. "Orthodox faith can reconcile people who have different ideas, and who belong to different social groups".

The Patriarch of Moscow had a long phone call with the Pontiff, following the missile attacks by the US, France and Great Britain. The dialogue was attended to Bartholomew of Constantinople, Theophilus of Jerusalem, Theodore of Alexandria and John of Antioch. Contacts with the press, to communicate the initiatives of the Church leaders.

US sanctions affect Russian businesses, banks, politicians, government officials, military officers and hackers. The Moscow Exchange plunges. Russian companies funding Russian military actions in Syria and Ukraine were also targeted. A third way for a Third Rome is proposed.

With Easter celebrated tomorrow according to Orthodox tradition, many old customs have made a comeback, including sweet breads, eggs, and holy fire flown in from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Patriarch Kirill urged believers to participate, but so far only 2 to 4 per cent of them have taken part in Holy Week activities.

The crisis sparked in 2015 over the shooting down of a Russian jet, has been buried. Contracts for nuclear power plants, gas pipelines, agricultural products and tourism. A phone call to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for Orthodox Easter greetings.

Representatives of all religions, including the muftis of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, are on board. “We must learn to unmask and disarm satanic forces, before they carry out their evil deeds,” said Metropolitan Ilarion so that people can be swayed “away from any kind of extremist preaching.”