Latest news with #RussianOrthodox
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Look inside: Listed NI property dating back to 18th century on the market for £350,000
Prehen House, located in Prehen Park, Derry, has seven bedrooms and six reception rooms, set on a secluded site extending to a little under 10 acres. Additional accommodation includes a three-bed cottage and outbuildings with former stables. The property was built by Andrew Knox, at that time, PM for Donegal in 1740. The Knox family owned the property for approximately 170 years until it was seized in World War One. It was eventually bought back by another branch of the Prehen family in the 1970s, then restored by Carola and the late Julian Peck. Prehen House retains many of its original features such as cornicing, paintwork and bay windows. The ground floor is home to four reception rooms leading from the entrance foyer. These include a sitting room with floor and ceiling library with a fireplace. The library offers access to a further reception room, ideal for a family snug. The kitchen and dining area is located to the back of the property and boasts an Aga, utility and storage room. The first floor is home to a principal bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, plus an additional six bedrooms with one ensuite toilet/shower. A small landing area allows access into two of the bedrooms, plus a spacious receptions offering access to three bedrooms. A second staircase provides access to two bedrooms. A vaulted basement contains wine cellars, a consecrated Church of Ireland, consecrated Russian Orthodox chapel and various stores. The external cottage comprises a kitchen, lounge and bedroom on the ground floor, plus two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Prehen House is located just over two miles outside of Derry and close to a host of amenities including Foyleside and Richmond Shopping Centres and Crescent Link and Lisnagelvin Retail Parks.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Leaders of historic Miami Orthodox church must hand keys to Texas diocese, judge rules
After a lengthy and tangled dispute over ownership of one of South Florida's oldest Christian Orthodox churches, its long-time leadership has lost a pivotal legal battle — and the keys to the sanctuary, at least for now. Former leaders of the Saints Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, a 70-year-old congregation that was once a mansion belonging to Miami's first mayor, have been ordered by a judge to vacate the property by Friday and open the doors to the Orthodox Church in America. The ruling from Circuit Court Judge Lisa Walsh comes after a nearly three-year-long dispute that has led to dueling lawsuits, allegations of fraud and the excommunication of longtime parish leaders. In an initial ruling in March, Walsh sided with the OCA, the largest of three Russian Orthodox ecclesiastical bodies in the United States. An appellate court later denied a request to stay her order from parish members fighting to keep the church independent from the Texas-based diocese. Then, late last month, Walsh set a June 6 deadline for the former parish leaders to leave the property and turn over any records, funds or property belonging to the parish. Walsh's ruling, which largely adopted proposed orders written by the OCA's attorneys, found Florida law forbids civil courts from ruling in ecclesiastical decisions of an archbishop within a hierarchical church. The diocese praised the decision and has rejected allegations from congregation leaders of a 'takeover' that potentially could lead to the sale of a historic property in an area undergoing upscale redevelopment. 'It was heartening to learn that the Circuit Court agreed with and ruled in favor of the Diocese of the South, which was not working to 'take over' the community of Sts. Peter and Paul, as has been incorrectly suggested, but rather to restore proper governance and oversight as established in our statutory documents and by canon law,' said Peter Robichau, the secretary of the diocese, in a statement. But lawyers for Sts. Peter and Paul argued that the matter isn't a religious dispute but more a question of real estate law and property ownership and the judge 'improperly deferred to the Diocese's self-characterizations' about the relationship between the parish and the Diocese. 'We believe the Court should have focused upon the church's own internal documents, including those regarding the founding and historical practices of the church, when assessing what kind of relationship existed between the church and the Diocese,' said Marco Farah, the attorney representing Sts. Peter and Paul leaders, in an email to the Miami Herald. 'We believe the Court's ruling is incorrect.' There is an ongoing appeal but, barring a reversal, the OCA is in control of the church corporation and the property. The OCA argued, in the lawsuit, that its longstanding religious ties with Sts. Peter & Paul give its bishops broad authority to seize control of church property — even though public records show the parish nonprofit corporation has owned the building since the 1950s before the OCA existed. Parish leaders argued in the lawsuit that they have always managed the churches' finances independently and have no financial or legal ties to the OCA. 'We were set up before they existed. We never accepted their bylaws, so that's what we're fighting for because that's how we work,' said Susan Homyk, one of the parish members named in the lawsuit. Legal experts told the Herald that such battles between Orthodox denominations highlight a gray area in American law between the constitutional separation of church and state but judges tend to defer to church authorities in many disputes. For Homyk and her husband Randy, the loss is especially personal. Both have long been active members and served on the elected parish governing council, volunteered and donated many personal items to the church. They say they have contributed thousands of dollars from their own pockets to help sustain the small parish and recruit a new priest from Ukraine. That last effort appears to have sparked the conflict with the OCA after years of friendly if — according to the Homyks and Deacon Georgios Zervos at least — arm's-length relations with a diocese based 1,300 miles away in Dallas. Alleging disobedience, among other claimed doctrinal infractions, the OCA excommunicated the Homyks and longtime parish council leader Priscilla Rivera. Zervos, the trio's ally, was suspended as a Russian Orthodox deacon (he says he now has the blessing of the Greek Orthodox denomination). The dispute has divided the congregation, which has been left without a priest and lost much of its already small membership. Representatives for the Diocese of the South, a branch of the Orthodox Church in America, said that the former parish council leaders are no longer a part of the church — a fact that has now been recognized by the courts. 'The Homyks and Ms. Rivera are not Parish leaders, and as the Court recognized, they have not been part of the Parish for approximately two years,' representatives for the OCA wrote in an email to the Miami Herald. As for the future of the parish, the OCA said it hopes 'to make services available to all who wish to worship under the Parish's proper leadership in good faith ....' Former Sts. Peter and Paul leaders have said, publicly and privately, that they feared that the OCA might sell the property, which has significant historic value, citing potential financial hardships within the dioceses. But OCA leaders have also said repeatedly that they wish to restore the church as an active place of worship. 'It is also discouraging that those improperly claiming to be the leaders of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church have continued to wrongly assert that the events that have taken place happened because the Diocese of the South desired to sell and profit from the sale of the property in Little Havana. As noted before, both in the court record and to the Miami Herald, this is plainly untrue,' Robichau said in a statement. 'The Diocese of the South cannot and will not sell the property for its profit because it belongs to and exists for the faithful members of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, a Parish of the OCA and Diocese,' he said. This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin thanks Vatican for assistance in humanitarian matters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude for the Vatican's mediation in humanitarian issues related to the Ukraine war in a first phone call with Pope Leo XIV. Putin advocated for the deepening of relations with the Holy See, which he said were based on "shared spiritual and ethical values," the Kremlin said on Wednesday. The Vatican stated later that the conversation "particularly focused on the situation in Ukraine and peace." The pope called on Russia to make a gesture promoting peace and emphasized the importance of dialogue between the parties and the search for solutions to the conflict, according to the Holy See. They also discussed the humanitarian situation and the necessity of providing aid where needed. According to a Kremlin statement, Putin wished the new pope success and conveyed congratulations from the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. Leo XIV has clearly condemned the war as an act of aggression and called for its end. His predecessor, Francis, was often criticized for calling for peace without distinguishing between aggressor and victim. Putin complains about Ukraine's church policy Putin asked the leader of the Catholic Church to advocate for religious freedom in Ukraine. He sees this as being threatened by the ban on the former Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which was loyal to Moscow. The Ukrainian leadership, on the other hand, views this church as a security risk because many of its bishops and priests are closely connected to Moscow.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Pope Leo urges Russia to support peace in call with Putin
MOSCOW/VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo urged Russia to take steps towards ending the conflict in Ukraine when he spoke to President Vladimir Putin for the first time, the Vatican said on Wednesday. "The pope made an appeal for Russia to make a gesture that favours peace, emphasising the importance of dialogue for achieving positive contacts between the parties and seeking solutions to the conflict," the Vatican said. It confirmed that Leo, the first U.S. pope, had spoken by telephone to Putin on Wednesday afternoon. The readout of the call was unusual for the Vatican, which does not always issue statements about papal phone calls. "There was talk about the humanitarian situation, the need to facilitate aid where necessary, ongoing efforts for the exchange of prisoners, and the value of the work carried out in this regard by Cardinal (Matteo) Zuppi," the Vatican added. Zuppi, the archbishop of Bologna, has been the Vatican's peace envoy for Ukraine. Putin for his part thanked Leo, who became pontiff almost four weeks ago, for offering to help settle the conflict and told him Ukraine was intent on "escalating" the war, the Kremlin said. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously said the pope offered to host Russia-Ukraine negotiations at the Vatican. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other officials have said the Vatican is not a suitable site for peace talks between two largely Orthodox Christian countries. Putin highlighted "that the Kyiv regime is banking on escalating the conflict and is carrying out sabotage against civilian infrastructure sites on Russian territory," the statement said, describing those acts as terrorism. The Kremlin restated that the conflict's "root causes" must be addressed, a reference to Russian demands that Ukraine adopt a neutral status and NATO rule out eastward expansion. Russia has sought to cultivate good ties with the new pope and his predecessor, Francis, especially on humanitarian issues, like family reunifications. The Vatican statement thanked Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill for his greetings when Leo was elected. Pope Francis had been critical of Kirill's support for Putin. The Russian statement expressed hope the Vatican would "take a more active role" in calling for freedom of religion in Ukraine for members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that has historic links to Russia. Ukrainian authorities have launched criminal proceedings against many of its clergy because of suspected sympathies for Moscow. A separate Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church, formally recognised in 2019, has grown larger in Ukraine during the war. —Reuters
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kazan, the city everyone confuses but no one forgets
THINK Kazan, think… Kazakhstan? Think again. It's a mix-up so common that even the locals have learned to smile through it. Ask someone about Kazan and you're likely to be met with a puzzled tilt of the head, followed by: "Oh, you mean Kazakhstan?" "I used to study in the United States," a young Tatar woman once confided to me over a decade ago during my first visit to this riverside city. "Every time I told people I was from Kazan, they thought I was misspelling Kazakhstan. After a while, I stopped correcting them." Her story remains vivid, a reminder of Kazan's quiet anonymity on the global stage. But if recent years are anything to go by, that's slowly beginning to change. From hosting six matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to becoming the annual site for the KazanForum — an international platform for economic, cultural, and interfaith dialogue — Kazan is beginning to raise its voice. Yet, global recognition still lags behind its rich history and unique identity. Situated along the banks of the Volga River, Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, one of Russia's federal republics. Its culture and character are shaped by a distinctive Tatar Muslim majority living alongside a significant Russian Orthodox population. The result is a city where mosque minarets rise beside cathedral spires, and streets echo with both the call to prayer and the peal of church bells. "When I first saw 'Kazan' on our assignment schedule, I thought it was Kazakhstan," admits photographer Syarifah Nurzulaikha Syed Zainuzam with a sheepish laugh, adding: "I didn't even realise it was part of Russia." The confusion, however, isn't entirely unfounded. Kazan shares Turkic roots and Islamic traditions with Central Asia. Its language, food and cultural touchpoints often feel closer to cities like Samarkand or Tashkent than Moscow. And yet, politically and geographically, it stands apart. For first-time visitors, the transition from Moscow's imposing grandeur to Kazan's laid-back rhythm is striking. "It's calmer here," Syarifah observes, adding happily: "The skies seem bluer, and everything moves at a gentler pace. It's a dream for photographers." Much of Kazan's magic lies in its duality. The Kazan Kremlin, a Unesco World Heritage site, encapsulates this perfectly. Within its white-stone walls, the Qol Sharif Mosque — one of the largest in Russia — stands mere steps from the 16th-century Annunciation Cathedral. The cityscape reads like a visual diary of peaceful coexistence. About 54 per cent of Tatarstan's population is Muslim, predominantly ethnic Tatars, and roughly 40 per cent are Russian Orthodox Christians. Together, they create a religious and cultural tapestry that feels increasingly rare in today's divided world. Even Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during his recent visit, noted Kazan's harmonious spirit. "The way Islam and Christianity coexist here is something the world can learn from," he remarked after touring the Kremlin grounds. For RTM news producer Tun Julia Mohd Tahir, the city initially conjured images of Uzbekistan. "When I first got the assignment, I had to do a bit of Googling," admits the 43-year-old, adding: "Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia… I wasn't sure how it all fits together. I expected it to feel like Central Asia." In some ways, it does. Traditional Tatar timber houses with ornate window frames dot the city's outskirts, while markets bustle with vendors selling dried fruits, nuts and chak-chak, a honey-drizzled Tatar pastry. Yet at the same time, Kazan boasts the clean, orderly streets and pastel-hued facades of a European capital. It's this seamless blend of East and West, old and new, that gives the city its distinctive pulse. What you won't find is the frantic buzz of Istanbul or the commercial gloss of Dubai. And for many, that's precisely the appeal. "I used to live in Turkmenistan," shares Sharipah Hunaini Syed Ismail, second deputy executive editor at Bernama. "And this place reminds me of that time. The language, the people — even the way they speak Russian feels familiar. I even managed to get a discount at a souvenir shop using the word skidka!" she adds, chuckling heartily. A CITY FOR WANDERERS Kazan is best discovered on foot. Bauman Street, the city's main pedestrian thoroughfare, comes alive in the evenings. Musicians strum guitars, children chase pigeons around fountains and street performers draw spontaneous crowds. Ice cream stalls and cafes spill onto the cobbled lanes, their tables filled with young couples and families. "It's not any one monument that makes you fall for Kazan," muses Tun Julia, watching a group of children playfully splash each other near a public fountain. "It's the small moments, the friendliness of strangers, the calm. Malaysians would love it here. It's different, but it's not difficult." While halal food is available across the city — with restaurants often displaying halal signage and some even providing prayer rooms — options aren't as abundant or convenient as in Kuala Lumpur. Still, for Muslim travellers seeking destinations beyond the usual, Kazan offers a rare kind of authenticity. Here, nothing feels manufactured or packaged for tourists. BUILDING BRIDGES Tatarstan isn't just betting on tourism. It is one of four pilot regions in Russia developing an Islamic banking system. The autonomous republic has also been actively expanding its halal economy with help from global partners, including Malaysia. During his meeting with Tatarstan president Rustam Minnikhanov, Anwar welcomed the region's interest in Islamic finance and discussed enhancing cooperation in the halal industry. The premier also made a timely pitch. "We hope Russian airlines can resume direct flights to Kuala Lumpur as soon as possible," he told reporters during the Moscow leg of his visit. Such a move, he added, would not only boost tourism, but also strengthen business and cultural ties between the two countries. Kazan may not roll off the tongue as quickly as Rome or Paris. But that's part of what makes it special. It's a city that invites discovery, not demand attention. A place where you might arrive by mistake, but leave with intention. As Syarifah puts it, chuckling with mirth: "We came here confused, but we're definitely leaving impressed." In a world of destinations chasing hashtags and headlines, Kazan is a rare thing — a city that stays true to itself. It's a place where faiths live side by side not for spectacle, but because they always have. It's a place where a street musician's gentle chords and the call to prayer rise into the same evening air. Where you arrive thinking you're passing through a forgotten corner of Russia, and leave realising you've stumbled upon one of its best-kept secrets.
