Archbishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in Europe call on Patriarch Kirill to speak out against the war

The statement of the "concern about the dramatic situation due to the invasion and military operations" was published on October 13 on the official website of the ROC Archdiocese and was signed by Metropolitan John of Dubno (administrator of the Archdiocese of Western European parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church), Bishop Simeon of Domodedovo (Vicar of the Archdiocese of Western European parishes, France), and Bishop Elisha of Reutov (Vicar of the Archdiocese of Western European parishes).

"The war has been going on for eight months, and during this time, many Christian figures around the world have appealed to Patriarch Kirill to seek peace. We are witnessing that so many of our communities, which see the search for peace in the name of the Gospel as their sole purpose, are in a state of turmoil. Among the parishioners of our churches, there are many Russians and Ukrainians who, along with all of us, suffer from the current situation," the statement reads.

The hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church in Europe note the words of Patriarch Kirill that "If someone remains faithful to his vocation and dies in the performance of military duty, then he undoubtedly commits an act equivalent to a sacrifice, and this sacrifice washes away all sins" (sermon of September 25, 2022) were received with great pain and misunderstanding.

"We once again appeal to His Holiness to speak out with all the power of the patriarchal word in favor of the peace process and call on all leaders and responsible persons of the Russian Federation to do so. Metropolitan John, vicar bishops, and members of the Council of the Archdiocese calling on everyone to unceasing prayer, especially at Divine Liturgies, implore His Holiness to speak out for an immediate end to the fratricidal war, which today is too great a threat to the whole world," the statement reads.