New Bishop for Tajikistan Consecrated in Diveyevo

This past Wednesday, the commemoration of the discovery of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Patriarch Cyril (Gundyayev) of Moscow led the services in honor of the feast at the renowned Diveyevo Monastery of the Holy Trinity in central Russia. During the festal Divine Liturgy the patriarch, Metropolitan Vincent (Morar') of Tashkent and Central Asia, and twenty-two other hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church consecrated Archimandrite Pitirim (Tvorogov) as Bishop of Dushanbe. Axios! The newly consecrated Bishop Pitirim will be shepherding the Orthodox Church in Tajikistan, whose faithful belong to the Metropolitanate of Tashkent and Central Asia. More in Russian here.

Tajikistani Ban on Minors Attending Services Passes Parliament

The Tajikistani Parliament has passed a bill banning minors from attending services in mosques or churches. The proposed law is intended to halt the growing strength of Islamic fundamentalism in Tajikistan, but would also affect the country's large Orthodox Christian minority. As the bill was proposed to the legislature by the Tajikistani president it is expected to be signed into law shortly. More here.

Tajikistan Closes Orthodox Church in Khalton

The Tajikistani government has closed the only Orthodox church in one of the country's southern districts because of a supposed issue with its registration application. More here.

Tajikistan Considers Ban on Youth in Religious Organizations

The government of Tajikistan is considering banning citizens under 18-years of age from attending religious services in mosques, churches, and other centers of worship. The legislation under consideration is prompted by the rise of Islamism in the country, but would prompt many of the country's remaining non-Muslims to immigrate to Russia and other countries in the region that allow freedom of worship. More here.