Christian Today staff writer

• Head of Russian Orthodox Church praises Russian intervention in Syria which 'protected Christians'

  The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has praised the Russian military intervention in Syria which he says was designed 'to protect the Christian minority' there from persecution and killings by Islamists.

• Vicar found guilty of spiritually abusing teenage boy

  A vicar in Oxfordshire has been convicted by the Church of England of spiritually abusing a teenage boy, in what is thought to be the first judgment of its kind, the Church Times reported.

• Fly Jesus: Planes to take 'Jesus loves you' banners around UK festivals this summer

  Banners with the message 'Jesus loves every 1 of u' will be flown over the UK this summer, with four pilots from across the country commissioned by Christians especially to target large secular events.

• Prehistoric 'paradise' from before time of Moses found in Israel

  A prehistoric 'paradise' has been discovered just metres from a modern highway in Israel, archeologists announced on Sunday.

• Treasure-seekers target French church linked to conspiracy theories in Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code'

  An ancient French church, whose former priest's name was used for a character by the bestselling author Dan Brown in The Da Vinci Code, has been targeted by seekers of a mythical treasure trove mentioned in several other books.

• Megachurch rallies around pastor after he admits sexually assaulting 17-year-old girl 20 years ago

  The leadership of a megachurch in Memphis, Tennessee has rallied around its pastor Andy Savage after he publicly admitted to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl while serving as a youth minister at a previous church in Texas 20 years ago.

• Black cab rapist John Worboys 'found God' in prison

  John Worboys, the black cab taxi driver convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault and one rape, became a Christian in prison and believes God has forgiven him, according to the Daily Star.

• Egypt's Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas amid tight security

  The head of the Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros II, led midnight mass in the cathedral of Egypt's new administrative capital on Saturday, a service attended by President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

• Another Chibok schoolgirl released from Boko Haram captivity

  Another one of the Chibok schoolgirls taken in a mass kidnapping in 2014 has been released from captivity, according to the Nigerian military.

• New Catholic app helps priests preach like Pope Francis

  A new Catholic app has been designed to help priests craft the perfect homily, following the advice of Pope Francis that sermons be short, simple and 'not boring'.

• Egypt's Coptic Christians to consecrate huge new cathedral

  Egypt's Coptic Christians, under pressure from repeated attacks by Islamist extremists, are to celebrate the opening of a new cathedral tomorrow – but fear it too may become a target.

• Anger as drag queen stars in Epiphany parade

  A drag queen is to take part in an Epiphany parade in Madrid tomorrow, sparking furious protests from conservatives who said it is 'distorting' the event.