Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has issued a stark warning over the challenges posed by mass migration, calling it a serious threat to the country’s spiritual and cultural identity. Speaking at a session of the Higher Church Council, the Patriarch urged a swift and systemic response to what he described as a growing crisis.

“Russia has always been a home to many peoples and religions. Hospitality is part of our spiritual tradition,” Patriarch Kirill stated. “But today, the influx of migrants increasingly comes with a refusal to integrate. Some ethnic groups live in isolation, showing little interest in learning the language, understanding the culture, or obeying the laws.”

He emphasized that the arrival of large groups with different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles is already affecting the social fabric of the nation. “We are witnessing the formation of closed ethnic enclaves, some of which exhibit hostility toward the native population,” the Patriarch said.

Kirill also cited data from law enforcement agencies, indicating a rise in crime among certain migrant groups, many of whom, he said, do not speak Russian and use public resources without a clear intention of becoming part of society.

In his remarks, the Patriarch called for a responsible and humane migration policy, one that protects the rights of individuals while preserving the spiritual and cultural unity of Russia. “This does not contradict human rights or religious freedoms,” he added.

The Patriarch’s comments came just days after the brutal killing of Ilyas Safiullin, a former Muslim who had converted to Orthodox Christianity, in a Moscow church on April 2. The incident, which is under investigation, has sparked debate and concern within the Orthodox community. According to Boris Korchevnikov, editor-in-chief of the religious TV channel “Spas,” Safiullin “was killed for Christ” and should be remembered as a “modern-day martyr.”

The Russian Orthodox Church has called for a national dialogue on migration, integration, and cultural preservation in light of recent events.