Latest Eastern Orthodox Church News

Montenegro's lawmakers take part in the parliament session in Podgorica, Montenegro, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Montenegro's new parliament has convened for the first time since last month's election with lawmakers from formerly opposition groups set to form a new governing majority and oust from power a party that has ruled the Balkan country for some 30 years. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Montenegro lawmakers return to forge new path after election

Sep. 23, 2020 12:28 PM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Lawmakers from three political parties in Montenegro asserted their new combined power as a majority in parliament Wednesday to oust the party that has governed the Balkan country for some 30 years. The pro-Western Democratic Party of Socialists won the most votes in the...

Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

With Vatican FM in Belarus, pope urges respect for protests

Sep. 13, 2020 12:03 PM EDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis urged political leaders to listen to protesters and heed their calls for political and social change, an apparent reference to protests in Belarus against the country's authoritarian president. Francis didn’t mention Belarus or any country in his appeal Sunday during...

In this photo taken early Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic speaks at his party headquarters in Podgorica, Montenegro. The leaders of the three main opposition groups in Montenegro signed a coalition agreement Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020, to form the next government and sought to alleviate fears that they would steer the small Balkan state off its pro-Western course and back toward traditional allies Serbia and Russia. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Government agreed, Montenegro to keep pro-Western course.

Sep. 9, 2020 8:53 AM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — The leaders of the three main opposition groups in Montenegro signed a coalition agreement Wednesday to form the next government and sought to alleviate fears that they would steer the small Balkan state off its pro-Western course and back toward traditional allies Serbia and...

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic speaks in his DPS party headquarters in Podgorica, Montenegro, early Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. Montenegro's pro-Serb and Russian opposition groups claimed victory against the ruling pro-Western party in a tense parliamentary election that could see a change in the course of the small Balkan state. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Montenegro's ruling party supporters protest after vote loss

Sep. 6, 2020 3:03 PM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Several thousand protesters waving Montenegro flags gathered in the capital on Sunday in a show of support for the ruling pro-Western party, which could lose power if the pro-Serb and pro-Russian groups manage to form a ruling coalition. Although Montenegro’s...

Opposition supporters celebrate after the parliamentary elections in front of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica, Montenegro, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. A preliminary official tally on Monday of the country's weekend parliamentary election indicates that the pro-Western party that has ruled the country for 30 years has won the most votes, but a coalition of three opposition groupings might still take power. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Serbia denies meddling in tense Montenegro election

Sep. 2, 2020 9:06 AM EDT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian officials have denied that Serbia and its president have interfered in Montenegro’s parliamentary election that was narrowly won by pro-Belgrade and pro-Russian political groupings. Though Montenegro’s long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists garnered the...

Catholic Priest Omar, center, leads a prayer as soldiers pause from disinfecting the Christ the Redeemer area, currently closed during the new coronavirus pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

AP PHOTOS: Around the world, faith in the summer of COVID-19

Sep. 1, 2020 2:02 PM EDT

The man stood in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue in a hazmat suit, gloves, respirator and goggles. Two soldiers wearing face masks bowed their heads solemnly. Over a dozen more in full-body gear paused from disinfecting the popular tourist site overlooking Rio de Janeiro’s skyline and beaches. ...

Opposition supporters celebrate after the parliamentary elections in front of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica, Montenegro, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. A preliminary official tally on Monday of the country's weekend parliamentary election indicates that the pro-Western party that has ruled the country for 30 years has won the most votes, but a coalition of three opposition groupings might still take power. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Thousands rally in Montenegro claiming opposition victory

Aug. 31, 2020 4:33 PM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Several thousand supporters of pro-Serb and pro-Russian parties in Montenegro took to the streets to celebrate on Monday, claiming an opposition victory in weekend parliamentary elections over a pro-Western party that has ruled the country for 30 years. The long-ruling...

People wait in line at a poling station in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. Voters in Montenegro on Sunday cast ballots in a tense election that is pitting the long-ruling pro-Western party against the opposition seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia. The parliamentary vote is marked by a dispute over a law on religious rights that is staunchly opposed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Montenegro opposition claims election victory in tight vote

Aug. 30, 2020 6:59 PM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's pro-Serb and Russian opposition groups claimed victory against the ruling pro-Western party in a tense parliamentary election that could see a change in the course of the small Balkan state. The unofficial tally showed that the two camps were running-neck-and-neck,...

Supporters of Democratic Party of Socialists wave Montenegrin flags as they drive in front of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica, Montenegro, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. Montenegro is holding a parliamentary election this weekend with the pro-Western government facing pressure over the new coronavirus outbreak and ongoing tensions in relations with Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church because of a religious property law. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

Montenegro parliamentary vote tests pro-Western ruling camp

Aug. 28, 2020 4:13 AM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro is holding a parliamentary election this weekend with the pro-Western government facing pressure over the new coronavirus outbreak and ongoing tensions in relations with Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church because of a religious property law. The long-ruling...

FILE - In this Thursday, April 4, 2019 file photo, Montenegro President Milo Djukanovic speaks and gestures during an interview to The Associated Press in Montenegro's capital Podgorica. Montenegro's president says the upcoming parliamentary vote is crucial in the defense of the small Balkan country's independence in the face of renewed attempts from Serbia and Russia to install their nationalist and anti-Western allies to power. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic, File)

Montenegro president: Independence at stake in upcoming vote

Aug. 26, 2020 1:14 PM EDT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro’s president says a weekend parliamentary election will be crucial to the preservation of the small Balkan state’s independence in the face of renewed attempts by Serbia and Russia to bring nationalist and anti-Western allies to power, his party said...

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