Ukrainian church leader pleads for Christmas on the Western date

Tensions between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have risen again in the past few weeks. The Russian church does not recognise the equal position of its Ukrainian counterpart. But the primary bishop of the Orthodox Churches, Patriarch Bartholomew, said last week that he "does not care" about the "ignorant behaviour" from the Russian part of the church.

Just weeks before Russia goes to the ballot box in parliamentary elections, Russian Christians are making up their minds about whom to vote for. Contrary to what many Westerners would think, the choice is an easy one.

The National Agency for Religious Affairs of Ukraine may block the bank accounts of the Russian Church in Ukraine if it continues to ignore the legislation requiring the renaming of its parishes.