The funeral of leading Patriarch Alexei II of the Russian Orthodox Church has taken place in Moscow, with the service being attended by President Dmitri A. Medvedev and Prime Minster Vladimir Putin
A bishop from Russia's Arctic region of Chukotka who attacked the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church for its ties to the Kremlin and for its involvement with other churches.
After a visit to Russia, the Vatican's top official for Christian unity has said a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Patriarch Alexei II of the Russian Orthodox Church is "possible". Such an encounter would be a first.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country's internal and external security depends upon two things - its traditional religions and its nuclear forces - writes Sophia Kishkovsky from Moscow for Ecumenical News International (ENI).