January 12, 2021 A Quiet Christmas for Putin By Griffin Edwards Instead of reveling in the bright lights of a Moscow Christmas celebration, Putin decided to take in the holiday at a small church in a small town. Culture Customs Holidays Religion Russia File
January 01, 2021 Searching for St. Nicholas By David Edwards A town on the Turkish coast preserves the memory of one of Russia’s most venerated saints. Culture History Religion
December 15, 2020 Tsargrad the Litmus Tester By Margaret Godwin-Jones The “Orthodox oligarch” is starting a political organization to promote politicians who share his views. Politics Religion Social Issues Russia File
December 09, 2020 Don't Try This at Home By The Editors “If questions arise as to whether demons should be driven out of this or that person, first of all, you need to turn to the priests. Any [personal] initiative in this is completely unacceptable.” – Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department of External Relations, in response to a video showing parents attempting an exorcism on their son Customs Religion Quote
September 01, 2020 God in Nature By Oleg Ponomarev and Anastasia Platonova The veneration and preservation of nature are at the root of Mari culture. We get a unique inside look at their most sacred annual ritual of worship. Culture Regions Religion Rural Life
August 27, 2020 Camouflage Candles, Cats in Quarantine, and Belarus By Griffin Edwards This week Russians get diet advice, the president of Belarus gets kicked out of a neighboring country, and even cats aren't excused from social distancing. Animals Economy Food & Drink Health Int'l Relations Military Politics Religion Odder News
July 30, 2020 Robberies, Vodka, and Cat-astrophic Crimes By Griffin Edwards This week, we're warned once again to be careful on the internet; priests use their powers for good; and criminals have never been so dang cute. Animals Cities & Towns Food & Drink Government Health Internet Religion Social Issues Travel Odder News
July 13, 2020 My Kingdom for a Church By Griffin Edwards Russia and Turkey are split over the use of an iconic Istanbul— er, Constantinople— monument. Architecture History Int'l Relations Religion Russia File
July 09, 2020 Priest Gone Wild By Griffin Edwards Ultra-conservative Russian Orthodox priest Father Sergei has had quite the summer. Cities & Towns Culture Politics Religion Russia File
July 02, 2020 Kefir-Beer, a Dog Retiree, and a Grave Competition By Griffin Edwards This week: stamps honor highways, grave-diggers let loose, and Russia's cutest cop takes his leave. Animals Cities & Towns Customs Economy Religion Science Odder News
July 01, 2020 "Painting Jesus Isn't Dangerous" By Natalya Beskhlebnaya Moscow is seeing religious symbolism crop up in unexpected places. It’s not the first time, but there is something different about what is going on now. Art Cities & Towns Religion Urban Life
June 16, 2020 The Inheritance of the Tsars: Russia's Claim to Rome By Griffin Edwards Russia-watchers sometimes encounter the idea that Moscow is the "Third Rome." But where does this idea come from, and what does it mean? Architecture History Religion
