The Pope has begun a Bible-reading marathon on Italian television

Pope Benedict's "In the beginning" has started off a weeklong Bible-reading marathon on Italian television. RAI state TV began its program called "The Bible Day and Night," with Benedict reciting the first chapter of the book of Genesis - the holy text's opening verses about the creation of the world.

The marathon will feature more than 1,200 people reading the Old and New Testament in over seven days and six nights.

Court rehabilitates Emperor Nicholas II, royal family members

The presidium of the Russian Supreme Court has ruled to rehabilitate the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and the members of his family.

"The presidium of the Supreme Court has ruled to recognize Nikolay Alexandrovich Romanov [Nicholas II], Alexandra Fyodorovna Romanova, Olga Nikolayevna Romanova, Tatyana Nikolayevna Romanova, Maria Nikolayevna Romanova, Anastasia Nikolayevna Romanova, and Alexey Nikolayevich Romanov as groundlessly repressed and rehabilitate them," a Supreme Court judge said in pronouncing the ruling.

Patriarch Ignatius IV to Visit U.S.

His Beatitude, Patriarch Ignatius IV, will visit the Antiochian Archdiocese in the United States from October 28-November 2, 2008. His Beatitude will arrive at Newark airport and will be staying in Boston, Massachusetts.

Christophobia in India and the European parliament

The European parliament condemned anti-Christian violence in India but failed to stop the christophobia of its members during the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in the chamber. In today's plenary session, the European parliament adopted (392 in favour, 44 against with 29 abstentions) a wide-ranging resolution ahead of the upcoming European Union-India summit scheduled to take place on 29 September in Marseille (France).

The extension of the EU-India strategic relationship (between the world's two largest democracies) is at the core of the motion, especially in terms of the economy, international politics and India's social problems.

Theologian not sure Hadron Collider will bring happiness to people

The well-known theologian, professor of the Moscow Theological Academy Alexey Osipov suggests that scientists are insufficiently responsible in realizing the project of the Hadron Collider's launch.

"I cannot estimate all the goals of making this giant machine, but it's at least announced that it has been done, in particular, to learn how the Universe happened. Oh well, we learned it. What's next? I never heard the answer to this question," Osipov said to Interfax-Religion.

Patriarch-Pope talks possible after rifts overcome: Moscow Patriarchate

The Moscow Patriarchate has again said that it is not rejecting talks between Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Benedict XVI, but noted problems dividing the two Churches must be settled first.

"If we forge joint decisions that will help resolve the problems dividing the two Churches, it will not be difficult to find a time and venue for such talks. Many plans have been proposed, and all of them will be assessed, of course," Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, the vice-chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, told Interfax-Religion.