Archbishop Gury (Apalko) of Novogrudok and Slonim, from the Belarusian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, has issued more statements combining mysticism and pro-Russian propaganda.
This was reported by Christian Vision.
In an interview, a clergyman stated that European politicians are “not only economically interested” in the war but are also acting on behalf of the “deep state,” which aims to destroy Orthodox Christianity. He claims that “the world elite knows that the teachings of Jesus Christ directly contradict their dark spirituality” and believes that by destroying the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, it is possible to “finally turn Ukraine into its vassal.”
The bishop alleges that the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) were initiated by U.S. authorities. He interprets the accidental deaths of Ukrainian officials and activists as God's punishment. As proof of the persecution of Orthodoxy, Gury asserts that employees of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra “took the reliquaries with the relics of saints outside.” This claim follows the spread of false news by Russian propagandists regarding the removal of relics from Ukraine after reports about plans to digitize the funds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Throughout the interview, the hierarch revisits the narrative of the “evil collective West,” whose political power, he believes, is based on “lies and double standards.” He cites Lukashenko and Putin as examples, mentioning their joint prayer on Valaam as a “good tradition among representatives of two Orthodox peoples.” He emphasizes that “Christ sees from above how each of us acts and knows when and how He Himself will act for our good.”
This is not the first time the archbishop has shared unusual theories with his followers. His “sermons” have included claims about Zelensky purchasing Hitler's limousine, Elon Musk implanting chips in people, a large-scale alien invasion predicted for 2024, and holographic ships “that will start bombing the earth.” Echoing Patriarch Kirill, Archbishop Gury has suggested that the war in Ukraine is a necessary measure to prevent NATO and LGBT culture from engulfing Holy Rus. The height of absurdity was his personal consecration of the GUBOPiK (Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption is a directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus) banner.
The archbishop finds support among like-minded individuals who share these views and “prophecies,” as evidenced by the Belarusian Peace Foundation awarding him the title of “Honored Peacemaker.”