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Russian Orthodox Church postpones Christmas Readings to Easter due to Covid-19 pandemic

Moscow, December 30, Interfax – The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church moved the traditional Christmas readings from January 2021 to May in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “The participants in the meeting decided to postpone the events of the 29th International Christmas Educational Readings for the period from May 16 to 19, […]

Leader of Novosibirsk cell of Jehovah’s Witnesses, banned in Russia, jailed for six years

The Leninsky District Court of Novosibirsk has sentenced the leader of the local unit of Jehovah’s Witnesses, banned in Russia, to six years in a standard-security penitentiary, the Russian Investigative Committee’s regional branch said. The 66-year-old man was found guilty of organizing the extremist organization’s activities. “The court sentenced the defendant to six years in […]

India’s minorities ‘face increasing intolerance’

India has become increasingly intolerant towards religious minorities, especially the Muslim community, according to a new report. The South Asia State of Minorities Report 2020 noted that the general public has come under attack from federal and state governments for criticizing the administration and institutions. The report looks at the status of access to personal liberties, […]

Fr Laborde: Inspiration behind “City of Joy” dies

Father Francois Laborde, a French Jesuit who spent decades among the poor of Kolkata, was buried on December 28 in a parish in the capital city of West Bengal. Fr Laborde was considered the inspira-tion behind French author Dominique Lapierre’s “City of Joy,” a novel on the slums of Calcutta (now Kolkata). He died of […]

Archaeological Survey begins restoration of Xavier casket

The Archaeological Survey of India has begun the restore the four-century old silver casket that houses the relics of Saint Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. The casket, which was last tended to in 1698, has been braving the elements within the basilica, which is part of the UNESCO declared […]

Mamata attends Christmas services at Kolkata Church

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeted the people on Christmas after attending services at a church in the city. Banerjee attended Christmas services at the Cathedral of The Most Holy Rosary in Kolkata and interacted with the people. “The beauty of Bengal is that we celebrate all festivals, spreading peace, joy, and happiness. Christmas […]

Spread Christmas joy with utmost caution : Bombay archdiocese

With Christmas just over a week away, Arch-bishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias on Dece-mber 15 sounded a note of caution, asking churches and parishioners to follow the guidelines in place in view of the pandemic. Issuing a slew of guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for churches across the diocese for Christmas, Cardinal Gracias […]

Indian priest found with throat cut

A senior Catholic priest found on a railway track with his throat cut in Andhra Pradesh State in southern India was buried in his home parish on Dec. 12 even as mystery shrouds his death. The body of 62-year-old Father Santosh Chepathini, priest of Chinta-kani Parish in Khammam Diocese in Telangana State in southern India, […]