Ukraine: war shakes the Orthodox Church to its foundations
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is historically divided into two branches.
REUTERS
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2 mins
The war in Ukraine affects even the different religious currents.
In the country, Orthodoxy is divided between the patriarchate of Kiev and that of Moscow, traditionally benevolent towards Russia.
But in the capital, the bombs are shaking even the certainties of the priests who advocated an agreement with the Kremlin.
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With our correspondent in Kiev,
Stéphane Siohan
Often, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarchate of Moscow, the main current of Orthodoxy in Ukraine, has adopted the political positions of the Muscovite clergy, but also of the Kremlin, placing itself against the current of developments in Ukrainian society.
But since
the attack from Russia
ten days ago, the clergy of this Church are in shock, and in Kiev, in the Pechersk Lavra monastery, the seat of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine, its spokesman, Father Nikolai Danilevich, does not take off.
“
Our Church has taken a strong stand against this war.
We unreservedly condemn this war and Metropolitan Onuphrius asked Putin to put an end to this deadly conflict and aggression,
he recalled.
He also called on Patriarch Kirill of Moscow from day one to ask Putin to stop all this.
It is an open war, an invasion, and we must also defend our country and our homeland.
»
“
This invasion is an act of treachery
”
Only Patriarch Kirill of Moscow gave his blessing to Russian soldiers
and declared support for the Kremlin's military action.
In doing so, Father Nikolai believes that the Moscow clergy participated in the duplicity of the Russian authorities, who masked their intentions in Ukraine.
“
Yes, lying is a sin and the Russian authorities lied,
” he underlines.
Many believed it: the officials said there would be no war, that they weren't planning anything.
This is why this invasion is an act of treachery that has broken all forms of trust.
»
Eventually, this war could have major consequences on the religious level: the Ukrainian branch of the Moscow Patriarchate could move further away from the Moscow parent company to get closer to the Kiev Patriarchate, which has become the Ukrainian National Church.
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Also to listen: The war in Ukraine: with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow
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