From the Head of the UGCC on Day 90: God save and protect us from such an Orthodox culture as Russia’s

The Primate emphasized that Russian commanders not only allow the killing of civilians and the public rape of women, children, and men, but also encourage these actions.   

“The atrocities against our civilian population are becoming an integral part of this ideological war against the Ukrainian people. This is a war with crimes that the world qualifies as genocide of the Ukrainian people,” the spiritual leader stated.

He noted that, despite everything, Ukraine has been standing for three months now. Ukraine is fighting against the enemy, which is many times greater in number and weaponry. “Indeed, today in Ukraine, David is opposing Goliath,” the Head of the Church stated.

On this day, His Beatitude Sviatoslav continued to reflect on another way of “being accessory to another’s sin” – by consent.

He reflected that every time we create space in our personal or communal life for crime, when we directly or indirectly allow ourselves to sin, we become complicit in the crimes that are committed. By consenting to sin, we become responsible for what the sinner does. And now this very kind of sin has become apparent in Ukraine.

The Primate noted that in the context of studying and exposing the crimes of Russians against humanity, the speech of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church at the 30th International Educational Readings held in the Kremlin is outrageous. Patriarch Kirill, the Head of the UGCC noted, called on teachers of the basics of Orthodox culture to educate children by using the examples of so-called heroes who are fighting in Ukraine today and allegedly defending Russia with weapons in their hands.

“The speaker did not clearly indicate what examples he meant, but today, when we hear the cries and groans of crippled souls in Ukraine, the blood of innocent murdered women, children and men calling out to God from the land – a cry bursts from the hearts of ordinary people: God, save and protect all people from such an Orthodox culture!” His Beatitude Sviatoslav exclaimed.

“O God,” prayed the spiritual leader, “bless the Ukrainian army! O God, accept the tears, cries, and prayers of millions of Ukrainians, victims of this war!”

The UGCC Department of Information