Dr Andreja Bogdanovski
@bogdanovskia.bsky.social
Religion journalist & analyst covering Orthodox affairs, politics, and security.
Bylines: The Tablet, Church Times, Premier Christianity, Balkan Insight & others. Views are mine.
https://divinediplomacy.substack.com/
📍Edinburgh | Skopje
Bylines: The Tablet, Church Times, Premier Christianity, Balkan Insight & others. Views are mine.
https://divinediplomacy.substack.com/
📍Edinburgh | Skopje
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenians don’t have a Catholicos.
There's been a sharp decline in church-state relations in recent months.
Read the latest:
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
There's been a sharp decline in church-state relations in recent months.
Read the latest:
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
First national prayer breakfast held in Armenia
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivers keynote address in Yerevan last Friday, against background of a sharp decline in church-state relations in recent months
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenians don’t have a Catholicos.
There's been a sharp decline in church-state relations in recent months.
Read the latest:
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
There's been a sharp decline in church-state relations in recent months.
Read the latest:
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
In a new flashpoint, the Orthodox Church of Moldova has rejected the claim that it is a "Russian church", describing that description by the Metropolis of Bessarabia, as unfriendly and dangerous.
New story for The Tablet.
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/defrock...
New story for The Tablet.
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/defrock...
November 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In a new flashpoint, the Orthodox Church of Moldova has rejected the claim that it is a "Russian church", describing that description by the Metropolis of Bessarabia, as unfriendly and dangerous.
New story for The Tablet.
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/defrock...
New story for The Tablet.
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/defrock...
I have doubts that Russia fully endorses Trump's peace plan.
Moscow has been demanding ironclad guarantees on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s status.
"Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance" won’t pass the Kremlin.
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
Moscow has been demanding ironclad guarantees on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s status.
"Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance" won’t pass the Kremlin.
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
Trump's 28-point Ukraine peace plan in full
The document states Ukraine must cede land it currently controls. The plan closely resembles the list of demands repeatedly outlined by Vladimir Putin.
news.sky.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I have doubts that Russia fully endorses Trump's peace plan.
Moscow has been demanding ironclad guarantees on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s status.
"Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance" won’t pass the Kremlin.
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
Moscow has been demanding ironclad guarantees on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s status.
"Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance" won’t pass the Kremlin.
news.sky.com/story/trumps...
Reposted by Dr Andreja Bogdanovski
Fascinating how deep history still resonates today: celebrations of a church council held in 325AD are have to take account of contemporary concerns, including Russia's war on Ukraine
When Pope Leo visits Turkey for the Nicaea anniversary, Bartholomew wants to offer a glimpse of unity by bringing together the “Pentarchy”-Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch and Rome.
Will it work?
Analysis for Premier Christianity.
www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...
Will it work?
Analysis for Premier Christianity.
www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...
1700 years since Nicaea, Catholic and Orthodox churches are planning a show of unity. Will it work?
In his first foreign trip, Pope Leo is travelling to Turkey to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Nicaean Council with Orthodox Church leaders. It's supposed to be a powerful demonstration of Chr...
www.premierchristianity.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Fascinating how deep history still resonates today: celebrations of a church council held in 325AD are have to take account of contemporary concerns, including Russia's war on Ukraine
When Pope Leo visits Turkey for the Nicaea anniversary, Bartholomew wants to offer a glimpse of unity by bringing together the “Pentarchy”-Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch and Rome.
Will it work?
Analysis for Premier Christianity.
www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...
Will it work?
Analysis for Premier Christianity.
www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...
1700 years since Nicaea, Catholic and Orthodox churches are planning a show of unity. Will it work?
In his first foreign trip, Pope Leo is travelling to Turkey to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Nicaean Council with Orthodox Church leaders. It's supposed to be a powerful demonstration of Chr...
www.premierchristianity.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:48 AM
When Pope Leo visits Turkey for the Nicaea anniversary, Bartholomew wants to offer a glimpse of unity by bringing together the “Pentarchy”-Constantinople, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch and Rome.
Will it work?
Analysis for Premier Christianity.
www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...
Will it work?
Analysis for Premier Christianity.
www.premierchristianity.com/news-analysi...
Pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is also increasingly extending beyond its main centre with the Koretsky Holy Trinity Monastery the latest to be declared affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church.
My piece for Church Times.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
My piece for Church Times.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Court hearing on ban on administrative centre of Ukrainian Orthodox Church is postponed
Ukrainian authorities argue that the Church remains tied to the Moscow Patriarchate
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is also increasingly extending beyond its main centre with the Koretsky Holy Trinity Monastery the latest to be declared affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church.
My piece for Church Times.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
My piece for Church Times.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
My new piece for Balkan Insight. As the #Vatican emerges as a de facto #AI ethicist, the #Orthodox Church has barely engaged.
Now, as AI spreads, some Orthodox Primates warn of the "end times" while others are overtaken by algorithms and influencers.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/14/a...
Now, as AI spreads, some Orthodox Primates warn of the "end times" while others are overtaken by algorithms and influencers.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/14/a...
November 14, 2025 at 10:19 AM
My new piece for Balkan Insight. As the #Vatican emerges as a de facto #AI ethicist, the #Orthodox Church has barely engaged.
Now, as AI spreads, some Orthodox Primates warn of the "end times" while others are overtaken by algorithms and influencers.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/14/a...
Now, as AI spreads, some Orthodox Primates warn of the "end times" while others are overtaken by algorithms and influencers.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/14/a...
Interesting new proposal to shake up the Orthodox landscape even more in Ukraine.
Establishing an Exarchate under the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a "temporary fix" and welcome those of the UOC who would like to leave Onufry but not go with Epifaniy (OCU)
orthodoxtimes.com/ukrainian-is...
Establishing an Exarchate under the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a "temporary fix" and welcome those of the UOC who would like to leave Onufry but not go with Epifaniy (OCU)
orthodoxtimes.com/ukrainian-is...
Ukrainian issue: A temporary Exarchate by the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a potential solution | Orthodox Times (en)
By Paul (Pavel) Liberman, Theologian If the Ecumenical Patriarchate does not intervene promptly, the situation in Ukraine risks becoming a pawn in political games. Without violating the Tomos of Autoc...
orthodoxtimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Interesting new proposal to shake up the Orthodox landscape even more in Ukraine.
Establishing an Exarchate under the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a "temporary fix" and welcome those of the UOC who would like to leave Onufry but not go with Epifaniy (OCU)
orthodoxtimes.com/ukrainian-is...
Establishing an Exarchate under the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a "temporary fix" and welcome those of the UOC who would like to leave Onufry but not go with Epifaniy (OCU)
orthodoxtimes.com/ukrainian-is...
I am with Leustean on this one that the building of the biggest Orthodox cathedral in Bucharest has more to do with national identity matters rather than any "soft power" flexing against the Russian Orthodox Church.
Why Romania’s new Orthodox cathedral is a challenge to Moscow
Three centuries after Peter the Great raised his empire’s first church in St Petersburg, Bucharest’s new cathedral is the largest of its kind
www.thetimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I am with Leustean on this one that the building of the biggest Orthodox cathedral in Bucharest has more to do with national identity matters rather than any "soft power" flexing against the Russian Orthodox Church.
Romanian Patriarch Daniel: #Bartholomew’s continuous support is “a powerful testimony to the unity of #Orthodoxy and to the constant support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the administrative freedom and dignity of the local Churches”.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
New cathedral in Bucharest is a ‘sign of unity’
Patriarchs Daniel and Bartholomew join in opening ceremony
www.churchtimes.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Romanian Patriarch Daniel: #Bartholomew’s continuous support is “a powerful testimony to the unity of #Orthodoxy and to the constant support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the administrative freedom and dignity of the local Churches”.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Reposted by Dr Andreja Bogdanovski
I doubt if there is an honest clergymen in the upper echelons of the Russian Orthodox Church. The corrupt Hilarion did "external relations" for the ROC, including links to the World Council of Churches
Although Alfeyev was "retired" to the spa town of Karlovy Vary in Czechia, Suzuki claims he travels there only once a week on Sundays while still living outside Budapest.
New for The Tablet
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/hilario...
New for The Tablet
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/hilario...
Hilarion was ‘bridge’ between Russia and Hungary, claims former aide - The Tablet
A former sub-deacon of Metropolitan Hilarion alleged that the Russian Orthodox prelate acted as an intermediary between Moscow and Hungary’s political elite.
www.thetablet.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I doubt if there is an honest clergymen in the upper echelons of the Russian Orthodox Church. The corrupt Hilarion did "external relations" for the ROC, including links to the World Council of Churches
Although Alfeyev was "retired" to the spa town of Karlovy Vary in Czechia, Suzuki claims he travels there only once a week on Sundays while still living outside Budapest.
New for The Tablet
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/hilario...
New for The Tablet
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/hilario...
Hilarion was ‘bridge’ between Russia and Hungary, claims former aide - The Tablet
A former sub-deacon of Metropolitan Hilarion alleged that the Russian Orthodox prelate acted as an intermediary between Moscow and Hungary’s political elite.
www.thetablet.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Although Alfeyev was "retired" to the spa town of Karlovy Vary in Czechia, Suzuki claims he travels there only once a week on Sundays while still living outside Budapest.
New for The Tablet
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/hilario...
New for The Tablet
www.thetablet.co.uk/news/hilario...
For ChurchTimes - The app was scrutinised by reporters and users over the scope of personal information requested, including highly sensitive data such as passport details, addresses, income, workplaces, and military-service records.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Launch of Russian Orthodox app, Zosima, sparks privacy fears
App was scrutinised by reporters and users over the scope of personal information requested, including highly sensitive data
www.churchtimes.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
For ChurchTimes - The app was scrutinised by reporters and users over the scope of personal information requested, including highly sensitive data such as passport details, addresses, income, workplaces, and military-service records.
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
The planned meeting (* big If) of the pentarchy in Nicaea/Iznik next month will leave the Slavic Orthodox isolated from a genuine ecumenical event, if no delegations are present.
October 29, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The planned meeting (* big If) of the pentarchy in Nicaea/Iznik next month will leave the Slavic Orthodox isolated from a genuine ecumenical event, if no delegations are present.
It will be interesting to compare and contrast today’s messages of ecumenism between the Catholics and Anglicans and Pope Leo’s upcoming key trip to Turkey next month. He will be meeting the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the Nicaea anniversary.
October 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
It will be interesting to compare and contrast today’s messages of ecumenism between the Catholics and Anglicans and Pope Leo’s upcoming key trip to Turkey next month. He will be meeting the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the Nicaea anniversary.
Reposted by Dr Andreja Bogdanovski
I don't know what the big deal is here. I've often prayed with my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ!
King Charles' visit to the Vatican today will be a historic moment - the first time since the Reformation that a British monarch and a Pope will pray together in the Sistine Chapel. Our briefing explores its meaning for Anglican–Catholic relations and the King’s faith leadership: ow.ly/K0Fn50XgJcc
October 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I don't know what the big deal is here. I've often prayed with my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ!
King Charles praying with Pope Leo XIV in Rome.
He is the first English monarch to pray publicly
with a pope since Henry VIII.
Newly elected Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally wasn't present.
He is the first English monarch to pray publicly
with a pope since Henry VIII.
Newly elected Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally wasn't present.
October 23, 2025 at 12:35 PM
King Charles praying with Pope Leo XIV in Rome.
He is the first English monarch to pray publicly
with a pope since Henry VIII.
Newly elected Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally wasn't present.
He is the first English monarch to pray publicly
with a pope since Henry VIII.
Newly elected Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally wasn't present.
NEW: Prosecutor’s General Office of #Ukraine:
“This case demonstrates that the justification of war has nothing to do with faith, and the word spoken in the name of the church can become a weapon in the hands of the aggressor.”
“This case demonstrates that the justification of war has nothing to do with faith, and the word spoken in the name of the church can become a weapon in the hands of the aggressor.”
Kyiv accuses Russian Orthodox bishop of aiding Kremlin occupation
Metropolitan Kirill (Leonid Pokrovsky) of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk investigated for spreading propaganda about "unity with Russia".
www.divinediplomacy.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
NEW: Prosecutor’s General Office of #Ukraine:
“This case demonstrates that the justification of war has nothing to do with faith, and the word spoken in the name of the church can become a weapon in the hands of the aggressor.”
“This case demonstrates that the justification of war has nothing to do with faith, and the word spoken in the name of the church can become a weapon in the hands of the aggressor.”
The newly elected Archbishop of #Sinai Symeon was ordained yesterday paving the way for an agreement between the St Catherine’s Monastery brotherhood and Egypt authorities. www.divinediplomacy.com/p/sinai-deal...
Deal imminent as Greece and Egypt move to settle Sinai Monastery dispute
New Archbishop of Sinai Symeon ordained in Jerusalem
www.divinediplomacy.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The newly elected Archbishop of #Sinai Symeon was ordained yesterday paving the way for an agreement between the St Catherine’s Monastery brotherhood and Egypt authorities. www.divinediplomacy.com/p/sinai-deal...
The big story this weekend is the resolution of the Sinai monastery revolt and the enthronement of the new Archbishop and Abbot Simeon at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is taking place today.
Crucial for the normalisation and strengthening of Greece-Egypt relations.
Crucial for the normalisation and strengthening of Greece-Egypt relations.
October 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The big story this weekend is the resolution of the Sinai monastery revolt and the enthronement of the new Archbishop and Abbot Simeon at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is taking place today.
Crucial for the normalisation and strengthening of Greece-Egypt relations.
Crucial for the normalisation and strengthening of Greece-Egypt relations.
NEW: Over three years of Russian aggression in #Ukraine, yet many still “greatly underestimate the pseudo-religious factor” #Russia uses to push its military and political goals.
www.divinediplomacy.com/p/russia-is-...
www.divinediplomacy.com/p/russia-is-...
Russia is fake ‘defender of traditional Christianity’, says Ukraine Orthodox leader
“In the Euro Atlantic space, Russian propaganda promotes the narrative of this war as a purportedly forced defence of ‘traditional values’ against the advance of ‘godless liberalism’,” says Metropolit...
www.divinediplomacy.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
NEW: Over three years of Russian aggression in #Ukraine, yet many still “greatly underestimate the pseudo-religious factor” #Russia uses to push its military and political goals.
www.divinediplomacy.com/p/russia-is-...
www.divinediplomacy.com/p/russia-is-...
Zelensky and European leaders were eager for tomorrow’s meeting between the Ukrainian President and Trump - until the two-hour-long discussion of Trump with Putin today and the “progress” Trump talks about.
October 16, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Zelensky and European leaders were eager for tomorrow’s meeting between the Ukrainian President and Trump - until the two-hour-long discussion of Trump with Putin today and the “progress” Trump talks about.
Hi everyone, I’m sharing the latest Divine Dispatch roundup on Orthodox–Catholic geopolitics, with a bit of added commentary
This week: Pope Leo’s trips to Turkey & Lebanon confirmed; Armenian archbishop jailed; Ukrainian Orthodox leader visits Athos, Kirill cements influence in the Balkans & more.
This week: Pope Leo’s trips to Turkey & Lebanon confirmed; Armenian archbishop jailed; Ukrainian Orthodox leader visits Athos, Kirill cements influence in the Balkans & more.
October 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Hi everyone, I’m sharing the latest Divine Dispatch roundup on Orthodox–Catholic geopolitics, with a bit of added commentary
This week: Pope Leo’s trips to Turkey & Lebanon confirmed; Armenian archbishop jailed; Ukrainian Orthodox leader visits Athos, Kirill cements influence in the Balkans & more.
This week: Pope Leo’s trips to Turkey & Lebanon confirmed; Armenian archbishop jailed; Ukrainian Orthodox leader visits Athos, Kirill cements influence in the Balkans & more.
"The document, an apostolic exhortation titled Dilexi Te (“I have loved you”), also expresses support for the Church’s role in defending the rights of migrants."
medium.com/divine-diplo...
medium.com/divine-diplo...
“Dilexi Te” — Pope Leo’s first document focuses on the poor, migrants
The Vatican released Pope Leo’s first document, which focuses on the Church’s stance and support for people in poverty, calling for…
medium.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"The document, an apostolic exhortation titled Dilexi Te (“I have loved you”), also expresses support for the Church’s role in defending the rights of migrants."
medium.com/divine-diplo...
medium.com/divine-diplo...
Reposted by Dr Andreja Bogdanovski
Hi there! Just sent out the latest Divine Dispatch with a roundup of Orthodox stories at the intersection of religion and politics. Trump pressed Erdogan on the Halki Theological Seminary. Also, Bartholomew said he will never retract Ukraine’s autocephaly. www.divinediplomacy.com/p/trump-resp...
Trump responds favourably to Bartholomew in Washington
New Sinai Archbishop elected ● Progress for Halki Seminary ● Legal fight over UOC-MP ban ● GRU–Serbia links and hybrid attacks on religious sites in Europe
www.divinediplomacy.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Hi there! Just sent out the latest Divine Dispatch with a roundup of Orthodox stories at the intersection of religion and politics. Trump pressed Erdogan on the Halki Theological Seminary. Also, Bartholomew said he will never retract Ukraine’s autocephaly. www.divinediplomacy.com/p/trump-resp...