• Russian Orthodox Church to Reconcile with Exiled Breakaway

  A split between the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate and a breakaway church-in-exile that dates back to the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution will be formally ended in May next year, church officials said Tuesda

• Priest Tackles Intruder, Foils Theft

  A Roman Catholic priest tackled a teenage boy he found rummaging through a church rectory Tuesday, foiling a theft attempt, police said.

• Sri Lanka Rebels Hurl Grenade Near Church, Kill Police Officer

  Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels hurled a grenade at police officers guarding a church in northwest Sri Lanka where hundreds of Christians were attending a Christmas service early Monday.

• Christmas Grinches Rob Church of $20,000

  Two grinches spoiled Christmas Day for a church, robbing the safe of more than $20,000 in donations for needy children, police said.

• Nigerian Archbishop Contacts Episcopal Breakaways in Va.

  Nigeria's conservative Anglican archbishop has contacted for the first time the nine Episcopal churches in the state of Virginia whose members voted this month to leave and align with him.