Calling for Patriarch Kirill's resignation, Patriarch Bartholomew has accused the Russian Church head of supporting the alleged "political crimes" of the Moscow government.
According to a recent report, he said it would be better to resign than to support the war. He urged Patriarch Kirill to "separate himself" from Moscow authorities, "even if this means stepping down from the episcopal throne."
Meanwhile, many clergy in Ukraine have openly condemned Patriarch Bartholomew's attack on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over the past several years, noting that his divisive actions have contributed in part to the current hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye, a leading Ukrainian bishop, has referred to Patriarch Bartholomew as Judas, as a Turkish servant, and as an apostle of Satan.
In recent months, a number of Russian priests have been supportive of the military operation in Ukraine, seeing it as a decisive way to end hostilities which have been going on for more than eight years, ever since the Ukrainian government was illegitimately overthrown in 2014.
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Faith vs. Fitness? The Real Battle Isn’t Where You Think
Alyona Bogolyubova
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