Budanov celebrates Purim with Jews
Budanov with Rabbi Yonatan Markovich. Photo: Facebook JCC BEIT Menachem KYIV
On March 18, 2025, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kirill Budanov, visited the Kyiv synagogue to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.
"The festive meeting opened with the reading of the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther), after which warm communication continued, exchanging news and multiplying joy," the text says. In addition to Budanov, the Jewish holiday was attended by former speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov.
Purim is a holiday commemorating the mass killing of their enemies by the Jews in Susa (one of the oldest cities in the world, located in present-day Iran). The event took place in the 5th century BCE.
During the celebration of Purim, according to the Talmud, it is customary to drink wine until a person can no longer distinguish whether he is pronouncing curses on Haman or blessings on Mordechai.
Earlier, the Union of Orthodox Journalists wrote that the Main Intelligence Directorate chief lit a Hanukkah candle in the center of the Jewish community using rocket debris.
Read also
German McDonald's removes food from adverts until sunset over Ramadan
In Germany, during the Muslim fast, a fast-food chain hides food images in advertising during the day and shows them only in the evening.
Metropolitan Longin after hearings: Sessions conducted under the rule of law
After the Hertsa Сourt session, the bishop thanked the faithful for their support and called for forgiveness, prayer, and faithfulness to Christ.
Christian series "The Chosen" sets world record for being most widely-translated
The streaming series The Chosen , which explores the life of Jesus and his disciples, has broken its own Guinness World Record for being the most widely-translated series of all time.
US Secretary of Defense to the Army: God extends His arms over you
Pete Hegseth stated that American military personnel are "no longer defenders" but warriors "trained to destroy the enemy."
MP demands answers from Rivne authorities over UOC charity event
Bobrovska expressed outrage that city officials allowed the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC to hold a charity festival that raised money for children with cancer.
In U.S., Archbishop of Albania leads Divine Liturgy on Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Primate of the Albanian Church served in Massachusetts and called for visible unity among Orthodox jurisdictions.