Russia Archives - Appia Institute

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Two Catholics in Moscow: A Russian Tale

Marcello Neri /

- Russia -

27 August 2026

While Bishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, was holding a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, another Catholic official landed in Moscow: CIA Director John Ratcliffe – who reportedly went to Moscow to warn Russia against support for Iran and activities in Europe. Vatican diplomacy and American […]

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Holy See: Diplomatic Mission to Russia

Marcello Neri /

- Russia -

24 August 2026

Tomorrow’s meeting between Archbishop P.R. Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov could be crucial to resolving the war between Russia and Ukraine diplomatically. August 24 marks the start of Archbishop P.R. Gallagher’s five-day visit to Russia. Gallagher is the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States […]

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Armenia: Faith for Russia or Not?

Lorenzo Prezzi /

- Russia -

10 August 2026

The trial of Karekin II, the Catholicos of Armenia, is part of the government’s efforts to shift its position and break away from its pro-Russian stance. On August 7, the trial of Karekin II, the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, began. He and six other high members of the Supreme Council are accused of […]

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A Saving Face Run

Giuseppe Cucchi /

- Russia -

31 May 2026

The USA, Russia, and Israel are losing face in their military operations and will try to save it. How will the EU deal with it? In Europe, the art of saving face — even when things go truly badly — is neither a well-known nor a particularly well-developed science among our decision-makers, and above all […]

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Kirill’s requests to politicians

Lorenzo Prezzi /

- Russia -

6 February 2026

The Russian Orthodox Church gains a larger political role, supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine. It pushes forth new laws that should prepare to project power abroad. The total and uncritical justification of the war allows the Patriarch of Moscow to present his requests for legislative changes to the Russian political world. A situation that, on […]

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Armenia, its Church, and the Nation’s Future

Lorenzo Prezzi /

- Russia -

25 January 2026

They will meet in St. Pölten (Austria, February 16–19) — the 56 bishops of the Armenian Church and their Catholicos, Karekin II — for a council that could prove decisive for that Church’s future. In a country precariously clinging to survival, the Armenian Apostolic Church must regain its unity to secure the nation’s future. The […]

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Russophobia and Highlights of Russian History

Moss Roberts /

- Russia -

19 December 2025

Accusations levelled too strenuously at others often reveal the accuser’s own failings – a psychological defense called displacement or projection, what the New Testament (John 8:7) meant in warning against “casting the first stone.” Inflammatory selective accusations – “autocrat,” “aggressor,” “terrorist,” “authoritarian,” and other swear-words – are hurled at adversaries with subjective enthusiasm but little […]