Vladimir Rozanskij

Last night the police broke into his wife Julia's apartment and arrested the activist Ilya Pakhomov. To clear reporters from his apartment, officers pushed some off the stairs. Naval'nyj's brother, Oleg, is also in prison. Arrests also in Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, Khabarovsk. Three opposition parties unite ahead of the elections in September.

The date, January 27, also coincides with the 77th anniversary of the end of the siege of Leningrad (Kirill's hometown) by the Nazis. He is often associated with "Putin's luxuries". But under his leadership the Orthodox Church has grown enormously. Risk of isolation after the break with Constantinople.

Police claim that drinking alcohol and shaving beards are signs that people are not "terrorists" and Wahhabi radicals. The fight against "religious extremists" also takes place by arresting people who pray at home. In the name of health prevention, mosques and public places also closed.

Several online media portals and books dedicated to the relations between Beijing and Dushanbe share this idea. Some claim that “all of Central Asia” belonged to China, but the historical evidence is lacking. Tajikistan has “returned” 1,158 square kilometres of territory in the Pamir area to Beijing. On the other hand, Beijing has agreed to ease Tajikistan’s debt burden in a new great Silk Road.

A solemn Mass, with bishops, priests, faithful to bid farewell to the outgoing metropolitan of Minsk-Mogilevsk. To his successor, Msgr. Kazimierz Welikosielec, said: “Do not be afraid to forcefully announce the Word to those who hold power…. only the truth will set us free!”.

Russian sociologist Sergej Erofeev wants to nominate him for the Nobel Peace prize. Demonstrations in favour of the blogger activist. Authorities try to block protests. Film on "Putin's Palace" in Gelendzhik has already been seen by over 53 million viewers.

Founded by journalist Myktybek Arstanbek, defeated candidate in the presidential elections. Although he is a Muslim, he says he is not a representative of any religion. The new party supports the new president Sadyr Žaparov.

The Russian president wanted to support the tradition, in a quasi-challenge to his opponents. Lavrov: Russian Orthodox culture attacked by the US and the Patriarch of Constantinople. Metropolitan Ilarion had advised against swimming in icy waters. In Moscow 3 thousand faithful immersed themselves; 15 thousand in St. Petersburg. In the Pacific Ocean, at minus 20 degrees, 500 sailors and people from Vladivostok took the plunge. Patriarch Kirill: The Holy Spirit does not transform man into superman, but opens the possibility for man to enter into communion with God.

The blogger’s arrest, broadcast on amateur video streams all over the world, making him a symbol of popular will. The grotesque comments of Minister Lavrov. EU, US and others call for Naval’nyj’s release. His supporters come from all parts of the Federation.

A "preventive cleansing" of Putin's opponents is underway, in view of the parliamentary elections that will take place this year. Avksentieva, mayor of Yakutsk (Eastern Siberia) is known for her battle against corruption, in contrast to the Putinians. Alexei Naval’ny was arrested last night as he landed at the airport. Amnesty International declares him a "prisoner of conscience".

Said Nursi (1878-1960) sought a modernization of Islam through Sufism, in dialogue with science and with other religions. He also inspired Fethullah Gülen, now despised by the Turkish political leadership. The incomprehensible charge of "extremism" used to ban his works. In the past he had proposed an alliance with the patriarch of Constantinople against atheism.

Following the Julian calendar (and not the Gregorian one, like the West), the New Year was celebrated yesterday. The days between Christmas and the Baptism of the Lord (Theophany), full of dances, traditional costumes and folklore: from the star (of Bethlehem) to the water (of the Jordan). This year swimming in the frozen waters of lakes and rivers will not be held in many parishes due to the pandemic. The patriarchate of Moscow exalts the churches of Turkey under its jurisdiction.