Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill practicing Russian-style “Byzantine symphonia”

The current invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russian forces may have come as a surprise to some, for many were probably hoping that the massive build-up of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border was a bluff intended to force Ukraine to give in to Russian demands. As things turned out, however, this was no bluff, and the ensuing invasion has been rapid and fierce. For the most part, the world reacted with shock to the Russian aggression, and the field was opened for assessment and judgment of the situation.

One such judgment was made by Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and supreme head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kirill’s comments were reported by the APF News Agency on February 27, 2022. In his remarks, he described Moscow’s opponents in Ukraine as “evil forces.” Such a statement, issued by the head the the world’s largest Orthodox jurisdiction, is nothing less than a blatant lie and statement of hate. I would even suggest that such a remark must surely be an abomination in the eyes of God Himself. If anyone should want a rebuttal to Kirill’s comment, we might note that Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zoria), speaking for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, stated that “Putin is not the messiah, but really the anti-Christ of our current time.” Read More

A family sit in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. In Ukraine’s capital, many residents hurried underground for safety overnight Thursday and Friday as Russian forces fired on the city and moved closer. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The humanitarian and development agency International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to needs created by the conflict in Ukraine. Given the enormity of the crisis, IOCC has launched a campaign to raise at least $1 million dollars in private donations to support this work.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, IOCC is working with partners in country and across the region to help address immediate needs, while looking ahead and planning for longer-term response.

Initial efforts in Ukraine include providing generators and fuel, as well as flashlights, batteries, and candles. Families with young children will also receive baby diapers. Read More

Metropolitan Hilarion (C), First Hierarch, with the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

✠

Your Beatitude, Your Eminences, Your Graces, Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

It is morally and spiritually reprehensible for one Orthodox country to invade another—and yet we have precisely this situation with Russia invading Ukraine. Our Hierarchs must speak more strongly and firmly against this abominable act of aggression. Thus far the messages have been far too feeble.

ROCOR is the one branch of the Russian Orthodox Church whose very existence is born from opposition to what was wrong. Our forebears stood steadfast against oppression and dictatorship. Now, today, a dreadful time has again come to oppose clearly misguided violence and lawless aggression, exactly as those forebears did before. Forces in Russia twist and distort the nation’s spirit so as to threaten our fellow brethren made in God’s image in the land that is the Mother of all Orthodox Rus’. Swiftly growing ranks of Russians in Russia risk arrest to protest.

It therefore falls to us to speak loudly and firmly. ROCOR must not be silent, ambiguous, or engage in misdirection of the faithful with critique of the media coverage rather than bold condemnation. We must be clear, right now, else we surrender all spiritual ground that has ever been gained by our arduous struggle against tyranny and totalitarian government.

Let us follow the example set by our spiritual brother, Metropolitan Onufry, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, who clearly and firmly condemned the Russian aggression.

May Ukraine forgive us.

Signed:

Read More

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia

Read More