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Kyiv’s Moscow-backed Orthodox church says it cuts ties with Russia

The Alarabiya English reported, citing the AFP, Moscow branch of Kyiv’s Orthodox Church said Friday (May 27) it was cutting ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, declaring “full independence” in a historic move against Russia’s spiritual authorities.
“We disagree with the position of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow... on the war,” the church said in a statement after holding a council focused on Russia’s “aggression” where it declared the “full independence and autonomy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”.
The Moscow branch of Ukraine’s Orthodox Church has, until now, formally pledged allegiance to Russia’s Patriarch Kirill, who has expressed clear support for President Vladimir Putin’s offensive in Ukraine.

It said: “The Council condemns war as a violation of God’s commandment ‘You shall not kill!’ and expresses condolences to all those who suffered in the war."
It said its relations with the Moscow leadership had been “complicated or absent” since martial law was declared in Ukraine.
Russian Patriarch Kirill says Orthodox church and faithful are holding back the antichrist
The move marks the second Orthodox schism in Ukraine in recent years, with part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church breaking away from Moscow in 2019 over the Kremlin’s role in Ukraine.
Putin’s invasion and Kirill’s support for it has placed the Moscow-backed church in Ukraine in an increasingly precarious position.
Pro-Russia separatist forces say they have captured Ukraine's Lyman
Hundreds of its priests signed an open letter in recent weeks calling for Kirill to face a religious tribunal over the war.
Ukraine is hugely significant for Russia’s Orthodox Church, with some of its most important monasteries located there.
Source: alarabiyaenglish
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Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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