Orthodox Church to put up four candidates in Kerala

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.

August 25th, 2009 Bulgaria's church deplores Madonna concertSOFIA, Bulgaria — Orthodox Church officials are urging Bulgarians to keep away from a planned Madonna concert this weekend, accusing the pop singer of showing disrespect to Christianity. The powerful Church of Bulgaria has issued a statement expressing "disapproval and disagreement" with Saturday's event, and says the U.S.

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 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 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 10th, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Christians across Kerala observed Good Friday as a day of prayers and penance to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Churches across the state held special prayers, which were attended by thousands of faithfuls.

April 6th, 2009 KOCHI - Hundreds of Christians in Kerala commemorated 'Palm Sunday', marking the beginning of Holy Week on Sunday. According to the Bible, 'Palm Sunday' is celebrated to mark the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on a donkey where the rich and the poor greeted him by waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches and expensive clothes and even flowers.

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.

April 2nd, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - After the deadline closed Thursday evening for withdrawal of candidature for the Lok Sabha elections from Kerala, a total of 217 candidates remained in the fray for 20 seats in the state, the state election commission's office said here. The Kottayam seat has the maximum number of 20 candidates and Malappuram has the least - only four.

March 30th, 2009 PATHANAMTHITTA - Bishop John Thattumkal of Kerala is in a fresh trouble. He has been found staying with the woman he had adopted as a daughter last year, which led to his suspension by the Vatican.

March 22nd, 2009 The Congress list for 16 parliamentary seats in Kerala has stunned the influential Catholic church in the state. None of the candidates recommended by it has found a place.

March 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Eminent writer and former UN official Shashi Tharoor was named by the Congress in its list of 16 candidates who would contest the Lok Sabha polls from Kerala. As anticipated earlier, Tharoor would be contesting on the Congress party ticket from Thiruvananphapuram.

March 15th, 2009 KOCHI - The powerful Latin Catholic Church in Kerala has written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi urging the party to consider Hybi Eden, chief of the Congress' student wing, as party candidate for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat. The letter was written by the Varapuzha Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil, who is also president of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council, the body that looks after the social and other activities of the church.

March 2nd, 2009 BARI - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who travelled to the southern Italian city of Bari Sunday received a symbolic key to Italy's Russian Orthodox Church from President Giorgio Napolitano. The handover of the church complex was agreed upon between the two countries in March 2007.

February 14th, 2009 MARAMON - The Maramon convention, which is billed as the largest congregation of Christians in Asia, organised by Syrian Mar Thoma church of Kerala opened here Sunday. The 114th Maramon convention was inaugurated by the head of Mar Thoma church, Joseph Marthoma Metropolitan.