Archbishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate) issued a strong statement condemning the shelling of the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv and other crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine.
In his address, Archbishop Daniel expressed outrage at the "brutal bombing and killing of innocent children," calling it "a vivid testament to the depth of human cruelty."
He sharply criticized the tacit support of these actions of the Russian Orthodox Church and its allies, saying that "a true spiritual beacon must rise up to defend the innocent."
The Archbishop called on the UN, the international community and the US government to take "decisive and meaningful action" to hold the Russian government accountable. He emphasized the need to apply the full force of international law and moral responsibility against such atrocities.
He also called on the faithful to unite in prayer and action to create a world free of "devastating war and tyranny", for protecting the innocent is a "sacred duty."