Russian Patriarch Kirill called for prayers for those involved in a humanitarian operation in Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region, where residents faced shortages of food and medicine. Russian forces provided security and cleared evacuation routes, while clergy and staff from the Patriarchal Humanitarian Mission delivered food, household supplies and pastoral support.

On October 30, Russian ombudsman Yana Lantratova said the operation had concluded. It involved Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and was mediated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Residents who chose to leave were taken to safety; some planned to travel to Ukraine, while others would remain in Russia. Lantratova said the evacuation proceeded without incident and that Russia would continue helping residents with medical care, housing and replacement documents.

Nine people were killed and 34 injured in a terrorist attack at St. George’s Orthodox Church in Jordan’s Karak Governorate on October 23, according to the text. Three days later, Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III held a memorial service and visited injured people in hospital. Church bells rang in cities across Jordan and Palestine in remembrance of those killed.

Orthodox leaders, including Patriarch Kirill, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, condemned the attack and offered condolences to Theophilos and the victims’ families. Jordan declared three days of national mourning. King Abdullah II denounced the attack and ordered a review of counterterrorism measures.

A series of armed attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region killed more than 60 people, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church said. It reported that 20 people were killed in Meriti district and 46 in Shirka district. Women and children were among the victims; homes were burned, more than 20 people were seriously injured and many residents fled.

The Church’s Holy Synod called the events a mass killing and urged federal and regional authorities to protect residents, bring those responsible to justice and prevent further attacks. Memorial services and prayers were held in churches.

On October 30, Patriarch Kirill sent condolences to Ethiopian Patriarch Abune Mathias and the Holy Synod, expressing sympathy for the bereaved and injured. He called for the wounded to recover and emphasized the need to protect Ethiopian Christians’ right to live peacefully and practice their faith freely.

About 1,500 people were baptized on October 25 at the Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God in Khichauri village. Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III led the service and became the godfather of those baptized.

The tradition began in 2008 under Patriarch Ilia II, with Georgian Church leaders serving as godparents to third and subsequent children in Orthodox families. This year’s ceremony took place during celebrations marking 1,700 years since Christianity became Georgia’s state religion.

An international meeting titled “Prayer for Peace” took place in Assisi, Italy, from October 25 to 27 under the theme “A Disarmed and Disarming Peace.” Representatives of Christian churches and other religions discussed ways to address conflict and strengthen dialogue.

The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk. In his remarks, Archbishop John of Albania said Christians are called to oppose violence without answering hatred with hatred. Pope Leo XIV also sent a video message.

The Romanian Orthodox Church established an annual feast honoring the Assembly of Holy Warrior-Martyrs, to be observed on October 26, the feast day of Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki.

The feast was formally proclaimed in Bucharest after the Divine Liturgy, where Patriarch Daniel presented a synodal tomos. It honors saints who served as soldiers or commanders, professed the Christian faith and died as martyrs. They will be venerated as heavenly patrons of Romanian service members.