On March 12, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church held its first session of 2026 under the chairmanship of Patriarch Kirill. Among the key decisions was the appointment of Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailov as Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe.

The Synod also approved the inclusion in the Russian Church calendar of saints canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Another decision was to establish a new Russian Orthodox parish in Abu Dhabi dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, intended to serve Russian-speaking believers living in the United Arab Emirates.

As violence escalated in the Middle East, Christian churches and international religious organizations issued appeals for peace and the protection of civilians. In a joint statement, the World Council of Churches and other church bodies stressed that “there is no divine permission to kill.”

Church leaders warned of severe humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, destruction, and a growing refugee crisis. Particular concern was raised after reports of a missile strike on a school in the Iranian city of Minab.

Patriarch John X of Antioch expressed solidarity with Christians in the region, saying that the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch shares the fears of residents in southern Lebanon and is praying for an end to the war. According to Lebanese authorities, hundreds of people have been killed in the past week and tens of thousands displaced.

Calls for peace also came from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and the Holy Synod urged believers to pray for an end to violence in the Holy Land. Ongoing military tensions have reduced the number of pilgrims visiting Jerusalem, increased security measures, and restricted access to some holy sites.

At the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, clergy and pilgrims from Russia and Moldova held a special prayer service for peace this week.

The Russian Orthodox Church is also praying for victims of a missile strike on the city of Bryansk on the evening of March 10. According to official reports, six people were killed and dozens of civilians were injured. Patriarch Kirill expressed condolences to the victims’ families, calling attacks on civilians a grave crime.

Clergy of the Bryansk diocese have been assisting victims since the first hours after the tragedy, visiting the wounded in hospitals, supporting displaced residents in temporary shelters, and distributing humanitarian aid with the help of volunteers from the diocesan charity service “White Sails.”

The Serbian Orthodox Church voiced concern over developments in Kosovo and Metohija. Patriarch Porfirije appealed to world leaders to pay attention to the consequences of a planned full implementation of the region’s “law on foreigners” starting March 15.

According to the Church, the regulations could affect thousands of Serbian teachers, doctors, students, and clergy, and potentially complicate access to Orthodox monasteries and churches. Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, supported the Patriarch’s appeal and said it could help draw international attention to the situation of the Serbian community in the region.

In Romania this week, the relics of the newly canonized Saint Philothea of Râmeț were uncovered at the Râmeț Monastery in the western part of the country. The ceremony took place after a liturgy attended by clergy and specialists.

The relics were solemnly transferred in procession to the monastery’s main church, where they will be open for veneration. Saint Philothea—mother of the Orthodox ascetic Dometius the Merciful—raised twelve children and later took monastic vows, becoming an example of Christian motherhood and spiritual devotion for many believers.