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The Moscow Patriarchate's publishing house has released Patriarch Kirill's new book, 'War. Beyond Visible Causes and Effects,' which frames Russia's ongoing conflict as a sacred battle against evil.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill stated that Russia's nuclear weapons were created through 'God's grace,' speaking to worshippers in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Patriarch Kirill expressed satisfaction with the departure of clergy who opposed the war, stating, "I am glad that those who were with us, but were not ours, have left us. And they will certainly never return to Russia."
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova confirmed that the names of Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill and Lukoil owner Vagit Alekperov have been removed from the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia, potentially allowing Bulgaria to support the new sanctions.
The European Union's 21st package of sanctions against Russia, which notably excludes Patriarch Kirill, is expected to be approved on July 13. The package is anticipated to be a diluted version with many compromises.
Russian intelligence agencies reportedly do not possess information confirming whether Russian Patriarch Kirill was an agent of the KGB.
The Bulgarian Holy Synod announced that it is not competent to issue a ruling regarding the new sanctions imposed against Russia and Patriarch Kirill.
Experts, including philosopher and journalist Toni Nikolov, commented that the upcoming EU sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill are aimed at him as an apologist for the war, not against Orthodoxy itself.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced that Bulgaria would veto the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia if it includes Russian Patriarch Kirill.
The European Commission has included Russian Patriarch Kirill in its proposed 21st package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, a move previously blocked by Hungary.
Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church has left the Czech Republic for Moscow to inform Patriarch Kirill and relevant authorities about his situation.
Hungary has signaled its willingness to drop its opposition, clearing the way for the European Union to prepare sanctions against Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. This move comes as the EU considers a new "mini-package" of sanctions.
Reports indicate that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will no longer protect the former KGB Patriarch Kirill, signaling a shift in his stance.
A Moscow court has sentenced German carnival sculptor Jacques Tilly to eight-and-a-half years in prison in absentia for creating carnival floats that depicted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill in sexual situations, which was deemed insulting.
An opinion piece discusses the ongoing conflict initiated by Putin and the controversial actions attributed to Patriarch Kirill.
Metropolitan Hilarion, who was initially expected to be exiled to Brazil, has instead been reassigned to serve at a women's convent near Moscow. This marks a change in his ecclesiastical posting by Patriarch Kirill.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has honored Bishop Aleksij of Vienna with the Order of Saint Seraphim, recognizing his diligent archiepiscopal work as head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Austria since 2020.
Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the founder of Lukoil have reportedly been excluded from the European Union's 21st draft package of sanctions against Russia. This marks a potential reprieve for the religious leader from EU restrictions.
Bulgaria will not veto the European Union's 21st package of sanctions against Russia, which is expected to be approved on July 13, despite having three objections to the measures.
An author comments on the unclear direction of the Bulgarian government's policies and the ambiguous composition of its 'passengers,' questioning the involvement of figures like Patriarch Kirill, Vagit Alekperov, or even Putin.
Patriarch Daniel described President Rumen Radev's stance on vetoing sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill as a 'brave and correct act' when asked by journalists.
Bulgarian lawmakers are divided over Prime Minister Rumen Radev's intention to veto new sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill, with some calling it a strategic mistake and others deeming it insufficient.
Bulgaria has stated it will oppose new EU sanctions against Russia if they target Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church or impose restrictions on Lukoil. The country argues that such measures would create a favorable environment for anti-European propaganda.
Patriarch Kirill has been re-added to the EU's list of sanctioned individuals after the Hungarian government, which had previously vetoed his sanctioning 14 times, is no longer in a position to block the measure.
Czech police detained and later released a Russian bishop after suspected drugs were found in his car. The incident occurred amidst other news in the Czech Republic, including a record lottery win and ongoing heatwaves.
Reports indicate that the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia may include high-level representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, notably Patriarch Kirill.
Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, known for his support of the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin, wants businessmen to be 'responsible before God'.
Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, awarded the Order of the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, Second Degree, to Vadim Krasnoselski, the leader of the Transnistrian regime, on February 19, 2026.
Moscow Patriarch Kirill has stated that divine grace aided the USSR in creating the atomic bomb and that war is an act pleasing to God, legitimizing these actions through a religious lens.
The Moscow Patriarchate’s publishing house has released a new book by Patriarch Kirill titled "War. Beyond Visible Causes and Consequences." The book reportedly discusses the redemptive meaning of war.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed joint sanctions on Russia in response to cyber attacks targeting at least 10 European countries. These sanctions aim to counter Russia's efforts to create chaos and division through cyber warfare.
Patriarch Kirill, a long-time supporter of Vladimir Putin, has called on the faithful to pray for the Russian president for the 'preservation of the fatherland,' stating that Russia is on a path of 'construction and creation.'
Estonia's Ministry of the Interior has given the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, six months to appoint a new metropolitan and sever ties with Patriarch Kirill.
Negotiations for a new package of EU sanctions against Moscow are facing significant obstacles, with key points of contention including oil, codes, and Patriarch Kirill, as the bloc aims for an agreement before July 15.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has vowed to veto the EU's latest sanctions against Russia, specifically because they include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and former Lukoil president Vagit Alekperov.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev has demanded that Russian Patriarch Kirill and the oil company Lukoil be excluded from the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia, citing potential threats to Bulgaria's economy.
Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is reportedly included in the latest EU sanctions proposal against Russia, following a shift in Hungary's stance.
Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church has reassigned Metropolitan Hilarion, who was recently suspected of drug smuggling in the Czech Republic, to the Argentine and South American Diocese, specifically to backcountry parishes in Brazil.
Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, is reportedly set to join a list of Vladimir Putin's followers banned from entering the European Union, marking him as the first leader of a major religious community to be prohibited from entering the EU.
The question of whether Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, who blesses the war in Ukraine and calls Putin a miracle of God, can now be blacklisted by the EU arises as Hungary gets a new leader, potentially removing Viktor Orbán's protection.
President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered the transfer of the Vladimir and Donskaya icons of the Mother of God from the Tretyakov Gallery to the Russian Orthodox Church, according to Patriarch Kirill.