OCU Metropolitan Klyment explains why ROC supports the war against Ukraine

22.04.2025, 11:00

The Russian Orthodox Church completely aligns itself with the interests of the Kremlin. Metropolitan Klyment of Simferopol and Crimea, who publicly compared Putin to Hitler during the early days of the Crimea occupation, also urged Russians not to send their children to fight in Ukraine at the onset of the full-scale invasion. He made these remarks in an interview with We Are Ukraine.

He emphasized that if the Russian Orthodox Church had true faith, its representatives would not have committed crimes against Ukraine, the We Are Ukraine website reports.

“The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is a Church of non-believers. It is a church of idolaters, a political structure serving the interests of the Kremlin. These people have no faith, for if they did, they would not commit the crimes, the atrocities we witness in Ukraine,” the Metropolitan said.

He emphasized that the Russian Orthodox Church functions as an imperial church and has always held this role.

Earlier, Robert Rehak, the head of the International Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Belief (IRFBA - Article 18 Alliance), urged the international community to intensify pressure on Russia and hold accountable those responsible for crimes against Ukrainian religious communities. Since February 24, 2022, Russian forces have killed 67 clergymen, destroyed or damaged over 640 religious buildings, and imposed repressions against representatives of various faiths.

Tags: #Klyment (Kushch) #ROC #Russian aggression against Ukraine #State-confessional relations in Russia