Sunday Folgen

This week's edition of Sunday comes from Moscow as Caroline Wyatt explores some of the stories and issues that affect faith groups in Russia. As President Putin announces he will meet Pope Francis, Kevin Bocquet reports on the complex historical relationship between the Vatican, the Russian State and the Orthodox Church. This is Putin's first visit to the Vatican since the crisis in Ukraine. Anna Nemtsova, Moscow correspondent for Newsweek, assesses the significance of the meeting. It's said that the history of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour reflects the story of Russia. Caroline takes a tour and discovers its extraordinary story. Pinchas Goldschmidt is the Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European Rabbis. He talks to Caroline about the place of the Jewish community in Russia today. In the Orthodox church, prayers are still sung in the same language used when Christianity arrived in Russia hundreds of years ago. Oleg Boldyrev hears some of the choirs keeping their religious heritage alive. There are over a million Muslims in Moscow but only four Mosques. Almaz Shakirov, from the Muftis Council of Russia, explains how this situation has come about and why it is so difficult for new mosques to be built. What is the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the State and how has it changed? Journalist Konstantin von Eggert and Vakhtang Kipshidze from the Russian Orthodox Church debate.