Archimandrite Cyril Hovorun noted that according to the "Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church", Orthodox Christians can and should refuse to participate in the war against Ukraine.
The Archimandrite wrote about this on his TG channel.
"If the authorities force Orthodox believers to retreat from Christ and his church, as well as to sinful acts that are harmful to the soul, the Church must refuse to obey the state. A Christian, at the behest of his conscience, may not fulfill the authorities' wishes, which inclines him to a grave sin. (III 5)," he quoted the main document of the Russian Orthodox Church.
"This point was introduced at one time in the official document of the Russian Orthodox Church personally by Metropolitan (now Patriarch - Ed.) Kirill and this then angered the Kremlin," he added.
According to him, now this item has become more relevant than ever. The Russian authorities are now forcing them to commit acts harmful to the Orthodox - participation in the war of invasion. And so, according to the concept, Russians not only can but also must refuse to obey their state.
"It's just a pity that the Patriarch who once signed this now also encourages Russians to commit a 'grave sin'," said Archimandrite Cyril Hovorun.