David I Klein

$Ukraine\'s ban targeting Russian-linked faith groups raises religious freedom concerns$
Ukraine's ban targeting Russian-linked faith groups raises religious freedom concerns

Even some supporters of Ukraine see the ban as an overstep in the name of national security, a violation of religious freedom and a potential risk to continued foreign military aid.
With new patriarch, Bulgarian Orthodox Church turns toward Moscow

Many who opposed Daniil, the new Patriarch of All Bulgaria, worry that his election represents a sharp turn away from the policies of his predecessor, Neophyte I, who is remembered as a unifier.
After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed Chora Church's rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.
$UK archaeologists use metal-detecting hobbyists\' finds to study medieval faith$
UK archaeologists use metal-detecting hobbyists' finds to study medieval faith

Archaeologists hope to capitalize on a local fad for metal detecting to examine pilgrimage and personal piety in areas where the written record is thin.
$As Turkey\'s Christians celebrate a new church, religious minorities still call for respect$
As Turkey's Christians celebrate a new church, religious minorities still call for respect

Though he has allowed new houses of worship to be built and old ones to be reopened, President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan needs to do more, observers say, to restore respect for a truly pluralistic society as much as for church property.
Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country

Draft law 8371, which requires another vote before moving to the president's desk, would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those whose leadership is outside of Ukraine.
Fate of historic Sofia church unclear as Bulgaria accuses abbot of spying for Russia

The century-old St. Nicholas, named for the patron of the last czar, is a symbol of Russia's stake in Bulgaria's affairs.
Greek court: Orthodox students cannot be exempted from religion classes

In an ongoing struggle between the Atheist Union of Greece and Greece's Ministry of Education, Greece's Council of State ruled this month that Greek Orthodox students cannot be excused from required religious education classes and said exemptions for non-Orthodox do not violate human rights or European Union privacy laws.