Posts in News
‘Sacred Alaska’ Masterfully Explores Native Culture And The Orthodox Faith

(REVIEW) This film is not just a historical overview of the growth of Orthodox Christianity in America’s northernmost state among Native Alaskans; it also captures the fusion of Native Alaskan culture and Orthodox spirituality. The film shows what we can learn from Alaskan Orthodoxy. Becoming fully human, caring for the land and the animals are main themes discussed in this documentary. These lessons are not just important for Orthodox Christians, but for all human beings.  

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New Survey Shows Most Americans Say Religion’s Influence Waning

The vast majority of U.S. adults say religion’s role in public life has declined — and a very large number of them are not happy about it. A new Pew Research Center report revealed the stark finding that 80% of U.S. adults agree with the statement that the role of faith in everyday American life is shrinking.

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Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum Gets Spectacular New Entrance

Comparable to I.M. Pei’s iconic pyramid that transformed the entrance to the Louvre, the glass-and-steel structure is a minimalist, less-is-more architectural triumph that redefines the orientation of the museum's galleries and just about everything else in this historic cultural hub. Located in a sprawling structure that once served as a palace and fort.

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Tattooing Has Held A Long Tradition Dating Back To Jesus’ Crucifixion

(ANALYSIS) Holy Week and Easter are perhaps the most important days in the Christian calendar. Many associate those celebrations with church services, processions, candles, incense, fasting and penances. However, there is another tradition that many Christians follow — that of tattooing.

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New Report Details What Evangelicals Think About Social And Political Issues

While a majority of American evangelicals may be united by fundamental spiritual beliefs, they are by no means in agreement on a variety of hot-button subjects, according to a new study. Eight months before the 2024 presidential election that will feature a rematch between President Biden and Donald Trump, the report brings into sharper focus what evangelicals think about a host of issues that could impact the election.

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A Popeless Cause: Why Hasn’t There Ever Been An Irish Pontiff?

(ANALYSIS) Remember that time Ireland had a pope? You probably don't. Because it never happened. Despite Ireland's rich monastic and missionary traditions — along with its hard-fought struggle to maintain the Catholic religion — there has never been an Irish pope. Italy, of course, has had hundreds of popes. France has had 15 and the Germans half a dozen.

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Some Theologians Call for ‘Liturgical Audit’ To Combat Antisemitism

Acutely aware of the painful history of Christian participation and complicity in antisemitism, and a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents nationally and globally, Christian scholars and clergy are calling for a new level of reflection and accountability for churches, starting from the pulpit.

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Why India’s New Citizenship Law Excludes Muslim Migrants

(EXPLAINER) India has implemented a new citizenship law that excludes Muslims, a religious minority, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government. Although the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed five years ago by the country’s parliament, it was not enacted at the time due to the pandemic.

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Pro-Israel PAC To Increase Pressure On GOP To Pass Aid Bill

AIPAC lobbyists are headed to Capitol Hill this week to increase pressure on Congress to pass a bipartisan Israel aid bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far resisted bringing a $95 billion foreign aid bill to a floor vote. That bill, approved by the Senate last month, would support Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russia’s invasion, and send $14.1 billion to Israel, which is fighting against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah on its northern border.

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Religious Objections To Vaccines In Africa Complicates Cholera Fight

As Zimbabwe and several other African countries fight a protracted cholera outbreak, Apostolic Christian sects opposed to Western medicine are being blamed for complicating the fight. Zimbabwe is one of the several countries in Southern Africa that are suffering from bouts of cholera outbreaks. Other places include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi.

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Haiti On The Brink: Did Evangelicals Break The Caribbean Nation?

(ANALYSIS) The news coming from Haiti is not good. It’s not been good for years, for decades, but today it’s even worse. Gangs now control much of the country. It is essentially a failed state, with the lowest per capita income of any country in the Western Hemisphere and among the lowest on the planet. These are hard realities, but evangelicals need to face a hard reality of our own when it comes to Haiti.

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Muslims Welcome Ramadan Amid Heightened Security And Concern For Gaza

Muslims around the world welcomed the holy month of Ramadan on Sunday with some trepidation given the war in Gaza and political and religious turmoil taking place across the Middle East. Ramadan — the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar — is a period observed by Muslims worldwide.

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‘Sacred Alaska’: Q&A With Film Director Simon Scionka On Native Culture and Orthodox Spirituality

“Sacred Alaska” is an award-winning, visually stunning documentary with compelling storytelling. The film explores the profound influence of Orthodoxy, brought by St. Herman and Russian monks in the late 18th century, on Native Alaskan society. It also highlights the unique fusion of Native Alaskan indigenous beliefs with Orthodox traditions.

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Kicking Down Barriers: Coach Champions Women’s Soccer Players in Kashmir

On a hazy morning with an aura of high spirit and enthusiasm, Mohammad Abdullah Dar, 84, wearing a tracksuit and a skull cap, starts jogging in the playground of the Amar Singh College in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. He’s been on a mission to teach soccer to women and help them excel at it in a part of the world not always enthusiastic about female sports.

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2024 Oscars: ‘Oppenheimer’ Cleans Up And The Night’s Other Big Winners

The Oscars were held on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. Jimmy Kimmel returned as host for the fourth time, joined onstage by an all-star list of presenters. Did any faith-based films win? Here’s a look at this year’s winners.

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UK Cathedrals Host ‘Boozy’ Disco Events, Sparking Protests

Silent Discos in Incredible Places has hosted events with live DJs, LED lights and fully stocked mobile bars in museums and other landmarks. Leaders of several historic cathedrals view the disco events as a means to attract younger congregants and help cover rising maintenance costs. But for many of the faithful, holding discos in cathedrals goes too far.

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Why Popular Faith-Based Films Like ‘The Chosen’ Aren’t Nominated For Oscars

Are faith projects such as “The Chosen” not considered for secular awards because of anti-Christian bias? While there is plenty of bias in Hollywood, the reason is a much more complicated one. Film critic Joseph Holmes delves into the issue in time for this Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

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Fast Food’s Quest To Feed Body And Soul During Lent And Beyond

Fast food aficionados and practicing Catholics alike are often familiar with the Filet-O-Fish story and how the sandwich was born as a result of Lent. Catholics aren’t the only religious group chain restaurants cater to because of faith and dietary restrictions. Here’s a look at some of the biggest menu options from around the world.

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