Political, religious battles loom between Ukraine, Russia over Orthodox baptism celebration

Solemn hymns and prayers will resonate in golden-domed Orthodox cathedrals across Ukraine on Friday to mark the 1020th anniversary of this region's conversion to Christianity. But the sonorous sounds may be drowned out by the din of a fierce political battle. Ukrainian officials are determined to use the events to lobby for autonomy for the local church from Russia, while the dominant Moscow Patriarchate will fight to retain influence over this mostly Orthodox country of 46 million. For Ukrainian leaders, recognition of the Ukrainian Orthodox church as Moscow's equal would mark a significant step in their drive to assert independence and shed centuries-long Russian influence. That effort gained strength after the 2004 Orange Revolution, which moved Ukraine away from Moscow and closer to the West. "Ukraine is an independent... [read full story]