Online users notice Pope Leo wearing a cross from Russian Orthodox Church

Pope Leo wearing an award cross established by the Russian Tsar. Collage: UOJ

The new pontiff is wearing an award pectoral cross of the Russian Church, stated Archbishop Jonah of Obukhiv in a Facebook post, sharing photographic evidence.

“Pope Leo XIV is wearing the 'pectoral cross issued by the Holy Synod', established by Emperor Paul I in 1797 as a decoration for clergy ‘for outstanding merit.’ The inscription on the reverse is a paraphrase of 1 Timothy 4:12: ‘To the presbyter, an example to the faithful in word and life,’” the hierarch wrote, posting the corresponding photo.

Commenters noted that the cross is made of silver.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Vatican had stated it was too early to speak of a possible visit by Pope Leo to Ukraine.

Read also

Priest charged with desertion freed after faithful raise bail

Archpriest Vitaliy Agafonov, a cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has been released after bail was posted with funds raised by the faithful.

UOC clergy and laity from several eparchies donate blood for wounded soldiers

Clergy and Orthodox youth of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church donated blood for wounded military personnel.

UOC faithful in Kozelshchansk hold procession with icon of the Mother of God

Pilgrims and clergy of the Poltava Eparchy prayed at the Kozelshchansk Monastery and took part in a procession around the church with the wonderworking icon.

Hearing in Metropolitan Theodosiy’s сase postponed after “victim” no-show

A scheduled hearing at the Kyiv-Sviatoshyn Court in the case against the ruling bishop of the Cherkasy Eparchy was postponed after OCU chaplain Nazariy Zasansky failed to appear.

Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi: The time has come to build the Third Temple

The spiritual leader of Ukraine’s Jewish community commented on Tucker Carlson’s claims about the religious motives behind the war in the Middle East.

US bars removal of children from parents who reject gender transition

U.S. authorities have affirmed the right of families to raise their children in accordance with their religious convictions and biblical understanding of sex.