Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church protests planned concert by “disrespectful” Madonna

September 17th, 2009 Vatican sees end to tensions with Russian OrthodoxVATICAN CITY — Relations with the Russian Orthodox church have vastly improved, possibly paving the way for a papal visit to Moscow or a historic meeting between the pope and the Orthodox patriarch outside of Russia or the Vatican, a senior Vatican cardinal said Thursday. Cardinal Walter Kasper told Vatican Radio "we have overcome all the tensions in recent years." He spoke after meeting with Archbishop Hilarion, head of external relations for the Moscow patriarch's office.

September 2nd, 2009 Hindu and Jew urge Madonna to take up Gypsy causeBUCHAREST, Romania — Two Americans — a Hindu and a rabbi — have urged Madonna to take up the cause of the many Gypsies in Europe who face discrimination. Last week, Madonna was booed by thousands of fans during a concert in Bucharest when she said widespread discrimination against Gypsies in eastern Europe should end.

September 1st, 2009 Madonna wraps up world tour in IsraelTEL AVIV, Israel — Madonna was bringing her mix of provocative music and spirituality to the Holy Land with a concert Tuesday in front of 50,000 fans who have endured a 16-year wait since the pop icon's last gig in Israel. Madonna wraps up her worldwide "Sticky&Sweet" tour with two concerts this week in a country whose place at the heart of the Mideast conflict has made it more of a magnet for diplomats than big-name performers.

September 1st, 2009 Madonna wrapping up world tour in IsraelTEL AVIV, Israel — Madonna brought her mix of provocative music and spirituality to the Holy Land with a concert Tuesday in front of 50,000 fans who had endured a 16-year wait since the pop icon's last gig in Israel. Madonna is wrapping up her worldwide "Sticky & Sweet" tour with two concerts this week in a country whose place at the heart of the Mideast conflict has made it more of a magnet for diplomats than big-name performers.

July 27th, 2009 Patriarch Kirill: No independent church in UkraineKIEV, Ukraine — The head of the Russian Orthodox Church rejected calls from Ukraine's president to create a local Orthodox church that would be independent from Moscow, saying he firmly supports the status quo. Patriarch Kirill arrived in Ukraine for a prolonged visit, which observers say is aimed at reasserting Moscow's religious and political influence over this predominantly Orthodox nation of 46 million, which is trying to integrate with the West.

July 27th, 2009 Russian Patriarch calls for unity with UkraineKIEV, Ukraine — The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church led solemn prayers in Kiev on Monday, the first day of 10-day visit aimed at reasserting Moscow's dominance over church leaders in Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill led the service on the sacred St.

July 27th, 2009 Russian Patriarch calls for Ukraine church unityKIEV, Ukraine — The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has arrived in Kiev for a 10-day visit aimed at reasserting Moscow's dominance over the church's leaders in Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill said Monday he would pray for the two nations' "unbreakable spiritual and church unity." The statement was a reference to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's efforts to establish an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

July 20th, 2009 Madonna visits victims of French stage accidentMARSEILLES, France — Madonna has visited some of the eight workers who were injured in an accident in which two more were killed while assembling a music stage for the singer in the French port of Marseilles. Madonna's concert that was scheduled Sunday night in Marseilles was canceled after the accident Thursday at the Velodrome stadium.

July 19th, 2009 Madonna to visit victims of French stage accidentMARSEILLES, France — Madonna is expected to visit some of the eight workers who were injured in an accident in which two workers were killed while assembling a music stage for the singer in the French port of Marseilles. The mayor's office in Marseilles says Madonna is expected to visit two hospitals Sunday night.

July 17th, 2009 Deadly collapse of Madonna stage investigatedMARSEILLE, France — Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation in the collapse of a stage being built for a weekend concert by Madonna that killed two people, an official said Friday. Eight other people were injured in Thursday's accident in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, one of them in critical condition and four in serious condition, officials said.

July 17th, 2009 2nd death after collapse of stage for Madonna showMARSEILLE, France — The Marseille hospital authority says a second person has died after the roof of a stage being built for a Madonna concert collapsed. The hospital authority says the British worker died Friday from injuries suffered in the accident.

July 16th, 2009 Stage for French Madonna show collapses; 1 deadMARSEILLE, France — The roof of a stage being built for a Madonna concert in the French port city of Marseille collapsed Thursday, leaving one worker dead and nine injured, city officials said. The roof at the Stade Velodrome stadium fell apart on top of several workers.

July 5th, 2009 Greek, Russian Orthodox leaders show unityISTANBUL, Turkey — The spiritual leaders of the Orthodox Christian churches in Istanbul and Russia led Sunday prayers together in a show of unity after years of jostling for influence. Istanbul Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said the two churches must overcome differences, though he stressed his church's status as "first among equals" with the historic role of coordinating between the various Orthodox branches, of which Russia's is the largest.

April 5th, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Christians across Kerala celebrated Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of the holy week before Easter, by attending church and offering special prayers. Churches distribute palms to commemorate Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path before his arrest and crucifixion on Good Friday.

March 22nd, 2009 KOTTAYAM - Irked at the Congress party for ignoring its candidate request, the Orthodox Church in Kerala has decided to put up four candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. The 2.5 million-strong Kottayam headquartered church approached the Congress party with a request to put up a senior Indian Administrative Service officer at the newly constituted Pathanamthitta seat, where the church has a strong presence.