MOSCOW, Russia - As Russian Orthodox believers marked Christmas under reckoning of the old Julian calendar, President Vladimir Putin toured the ``Golden Ring'' of historic religious towns east of Moscow and extolled Orthodoxy in a Christmas message to the nation.
``Orthodoxy, which occupies a special place in Russian history, continues to play a paramount role in preserving the moral pillars of social life,'' Putin said.
``The Russian Orthodox Church, acting closely together with members of other traditional religions and creeds, makes remarkable efforts to improve the spiritual health of our compatriots, foster patriotism and strengthen civil peace and accord.''
Patriarch Alexy II, Russian Orthodoxy's leader, celebrated a five-hour Christmas Eve service that was broadcast live on RTR state television. The locale was the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which was blown up by order of Stalin, then rebuilt and consecrated in 2000.
``In our turbulent world, people are again fighting against each other, and thousands of civilians in different countries have fallen victim to the evil will,'' Alexy's annual Christmas message said. ``But even in the worst of circumstances, Christians must never forget the savior's words, 'Don't be afraid and keep believing,' addressed to each of us.''
- Egypt begins retrial of 57 Muslims and 39 Christians over clashes two years ago
SOHAG, Egypt (AP) - The 57 Muslims and 39 Christians charged with murder or other offenses after Muslim-Christian clashes in el-Kusheh two years ago are on trial for the second time.
The national Supreme Court ordered the retrial last July after the first trial ended in acquittal for all but four defendants. Coptic Orthodox Church leaders protested that the judgment was too lenient and appeared to appease Muslims.
Nearly all the 21 people killed in the clashes were Christians.
Muslim defendants told reporters they objected to the retrial, saying they were innocent. But Christian defendants said they were happy with the second trial and condemned the previous one as unfair.
In court, Samia Tadrous Lawendi named neighbors she said killed eight of her relatives. ``There's no reason at all for them to kill my family. I am awaiting your fair verdict,'' she said.
The fighting broke out after an argument between a Coptic shopkeeper and a Muslim customer. Conflict then spread to a neighboring village.
Christians comprise an estimated 10 percent of Egypt's 66.5 million people. They generally live in peace with Muslims, but complain of discrimination in civil service appointments.
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WASHINGTON (AP) - Christian Coalition has settled a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by 10 black female clerical workers. Terms were not disclosed.
``The matter has been resolved amicably,'' said George Doumar, the workers' lawyer, who added that he was not allowed to make further comment.
The women filed suit last February. They claimed they were denied health benefits and overtime pay, excluded from staff events, forced to use a segregated break room and told to use a back entrance because Executive Director Roberta Combs didn't want ``important people'' seeing them.
Combs denied the allegations and characterized the lawsuit as an attempt to embarrass the coalition and extort money.
The plaintiffs later charged that the coalition retaliated against them for bringing the suit. Five more employees joined the amended suit, including a white man who said he was fired for refusing to spy on black co-workers.