Ukrainian Orthodox bishops ask their superior in Moscow to urge the Russian leadership to stop the war in Ukraine.
The Holy Synod – the governing body of Ukrainian Orthodox Church bishops – is asking Moscow Patriarch Cyril to call on Russian leaders to end hostilities. The appeal shows a growing chasm between Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and his own bishops in Ukraine over the war.
Patriarch Kirill has long enjoyed friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In statements to date, he called for an end to the “fratricidal” war in Ukraine, but he did not blame the conflict and insisted on the call for Orthodox unity.
While the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is under the ultimate authority of Kirill, it also enjoys considerable autonomy. Its synod also called for divine intervention on behalf of the Ukrainian military.
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