A significant escalation in the Middle East began on February 28 with a military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes from Tehran. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties, extensive destruction of infrastructure, and mass displacement of people, including the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Iran's leadership.

International Christian organizations have called for an end to the escalation. The World Council of Churches highlighted the threat to millions of civilians and urged an immediate cessation of hostilities and renewed diplomatic dialogue. Pope Leo XIV also emphasized the need for peaceful resolution. The Council held consultations with Middle Eastern Christian leaders, who reported a growing humanitarian crisis and challenges facing church communities in the region.

The conflict has affected religious life in the Holy Land, leading to the temporary closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem due to security threats. Most churches conducted services without congregants. Representatives of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem reported rocket attacks near monasteries and falling fragments of intercepted rockets on their grounds.

Local Christian communities are organizing aid for those affected. Armenian organizations in Iran have established support headquarters for their compatriots, while the Romanian Patriarchate has called for prayers for peace and offered assistance to pilgrims stranded in Israel. On Cyprus, the Monastery of Saint George near Limassol provided shelter to evacuees following a rocket strike on a military base near Akrotiri.

On March 3, church and memorial events were held in Bulgaria and Russia to mark the 148th anniversary of Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule, linked to the signing of the San Stefano Peace Treaty in 1878. In Sofia, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria conducted a memorial service for Emperor Alexander II and the Russian liberating soldiers, followed by a thanksgiving service. In Moscow, Bishop Seraphim of Istra led a liturgy at the Plevna Heroes monument, which included military honors and a wreath-laying ceremony.

The church conflict between the Moldovan Metropolitanate (part of the Russian Orthodox Church) and the Bessarabian Metropolitanate of the Romanian Orthodox Church continues to escalate. The Supreme Judicial Chamber is currently reviewing the case regarding the Moldovan Metropolitanate’s management rights over more than 600 churches and 20 monasteries. Concerns have been raised that transferring church management to another jurisdiction could increase public tension and lead to further conflicts among parishioners.

This week, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa launched online courses for catechists from French-speaking African countries. The program covers Scripture, theology, liturgy, and pastoral practice. Participants from various African nations are being instructed by educators from spiritual schools and clergy from the Exarchate, aimed at preparing future catechists and priests.