Relations between the Orthodox and Catholic churches are improving, Russia's Patriarch and Pope Benedict XVI are considering meeting, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray said Tuesday following a meeting with the Russian spiritual leader.

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) have signed the Act of Canonical Communion in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Alexy II, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and Metropolitan Laurus, First Hierarch of ROCOR, signed the act in the presence of President Vladimir Putin.

A landmark in the history of Eastern Christendom is timed to the Ascension, which falls on May 17 this year. The Russian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are signing an Act of Canonical Communion.

The Russian Orthodox Church started celebrating Easter with a divine service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow yesterday. The service was led by Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Aleksi II.

Recent television images of Russian President Vladimir Putin have shown him lighting candles at the Vatican and praying on the edge of the Jordan River.

Harvard University has agreed to return 18 massive brass bells brought from Moscow nearly 80 years ago during a Soviet-era crackdown on religion.