The Russian Church has urged Russians to support the country’s ongoing war against Ukraine, the Orthodox Times reported on Monday.
Underlining that the Russian war on Ukraine is a battle against degenerated Western liberal values, Patriarchate Kirill, head of the Church of Russia, said: "May the Lord help us to unite these difficult times for our country, and around the authorities," according to the daily that covers issues, particularly Orthodoxy and the Christian world.
Consequently, he said, both external and internal enemies will be repelled.
In a related development, the Greek public broadcaster ERT quoted Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of Istanbul's Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, as saying that the ongoing conflict is unholy and demonic.
“We are in favor of the law, in favor of the truth. Law and truth are with Ukraine, that is why we are with Ukraine,” he said.
Bartholomew added: “We Christians believe that the truth is Christ himself. Christ, then, will liberate Ukraine, which has the truth on its side.”
At least 1,793 civilians have been killed and 2,439 injured in Ukraine since Russia declared war on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be much higher.
Around 4.5 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.
