When crisis hits around the world, as it has in Ukraine, Christians are often first in line to help. Here are a few principles and tips to keep in mind as you give to Ukrainian relief efforts and assessments of some ministries that are raising funds for Ukrainian relief.
Read MoreAlong with local nonprofits and private initiatives, the Romanian Orthodox Church is at the front line of the response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. The church established a base at the Siret border crossing from the first day of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24.
Read MoreOrthodox churches around the world are all preparing for Easter, a celebration of Christ defeating death, by reflecting on Judgment Day. Despite this relative unity in worship, the Orthodox schism between Moscow and Constantinople that broke open in 2019 is cracking further. What is good and what is evil in the war in Ukraine is far from agreed upon.
Read MoreIn the last couple years, Ukraine has been in the center of the Orthodox schism between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Moscow Patriarchate over independence of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Many Orthodox theologians argue that the war in Ukraine will determine the future of the OCU. Cyril Hovorun is one of them.
Read MoreAs an American missionary and Ukrainian Christians say tearful goodbyes and cross borders, some stay behind and appeal to Russian troops, ‘Lay down your weapons, stop shooting.’
Read MoreReligionUnplugged.com interviewed Serbian ambassador Darko Tanaskovic to understand the role of diplomacy at the Vatican and the potential for further Catholic-Orthodox cooperation.
Read MoreFrom Oklahoma to New Jersey to Nairobi, faith communities are taking up collections, helping refugees and voicing opposition to the military invasion of Ukraine. Many recognize that part of the motivation is for the Russian Orthodox Church to gain power in the Orthodox world. And Putin, at age 70, is making a desperate move to regain territory Russia once held during the Soviet Union. Both motivations create waves of anger, fear and the will to resist such totalitarian behavior.
Read MoreAn upcoming Discovery+ documentary series on embattled Hillsong Church was produced to purposely hurt the church, interim head pastor Phil Dooley said in a Feb. 19 message livestreamed on YouTube. Discovery+ released the trailer for “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed,” on YouTube Feb. 16. The series is set to premiere March 24.
Read MoreAt a small Ukrainian Orthodox church in Oklahoma, a priest worries about his mother, brother and other loved ones caught in harm’s way. At Sunday’s service, the Rev. Stepan Bilogan and other believers prayed for peace in their homeland.
Read More(OPINION) The impact of the beginning of the new war crosses local borders, and to try to prevent an even more serious situation, countries begin to impose economic sanctions and take judicial measures against the Russian government.
Read MoreFor the past century, America’s conservative Christians and politicians were united in the belief that the communist USSR — and later, Russia — was anti-American, anti-God and a threat to the world. But recently, some Christian nonprofits have consistently praised Russia as a global beacon of hope for families and the survival of Christianity.
Read MoreChristians across Ukraine woke to the sounds of explosions as their Russian neighbors began a bombardment of the Eastern European nation. Some had made plans to house refugees making their way west, but the Feb. 24 attacks were reported in cities east and west, further complicating their situation.
Read MoreStudents from Lithuania’s LCC International University, 20% of whom are from Ukraine, rallied to express support for Ukraine against Russian aggression this week. LCC is a novel, faith-based university that brings Russians, Ukrainians and many others together to learn and interact.
Read MoreIn 2020, Anne Snyder launched a publishing project to explore a redemptive vision forward through the public health, racial and economic crises at hand. The online commons that resulted — Breaking Ground — became a one-of-a-kind space to probe society’s assumptions, interrogate our own hearts and imagine what a better future might require.
Read MoreAbout 50 Christians with ties to Ukraine gathered for an afternoon of prayer at the North Davis Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas. Less than 48 hours after the prayer service, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the breakaway republics and ordered his military to “maintain peace” in the disputed areas.
Read MoreFollowing days of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis called on Christians around the world to fast and pray for peace this coming Ash Wednesday. Before ending his general audience at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, the pontiff said believers should fight “the diabolical senselessness of violence” that has engulfed the Russian-Ukraine border.
Read More(OPINION) Oxford Forum for International Development’s conference aims to facilitate dialogue between various stakeholders in international development, starting conversations through a conference among students, researchers, young professionals, policymakers, practitioners and leaders on what it means to build back better.
Read MoreThe Bible translation industry takes in about $500 million per year in donations. With all that money, it produces about 15 completed Bible translations each year. But Strategic Resource Group has embarked on an experiment to see if a secular company — a translation service provider — can translate the Bible faster and cheaper.
Read MoreLocal church leaders had voiced their strong opposition to Israel’s plan to transfer land containing Christian holy sites from church ownership to the state for a national park expansion, denouncing it as a “premeditated attack on the Christians in the Holy Land,” according to a statement by leaders of the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches.
Read MoreIn towns devastated by tornado and fire in Kentucky and Colorado, Christian disaster relief organizations struggled to get enough volunteers because of omicron concerns. But members of local churches stepped in. For them, the coronavirus was a secondary concern.
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