Ukrainian Orthodox Church-KP: Clashes on Maidan Cannot Be Called ‘Fratricidal War’

Metropolitan Dymytriy Rudiuk of Lviv of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) does not believe that the clashes on the Maidan should be called “fratricidal war” as is done by some clerics. He wrote about this on his Facebook page.

“How can one call the clashes on the Maidan ‘fratricidal war’? I don’t quite understand this. Now all pray and commemorate those ‘...who died in a fratricidal confrontation...” he wrote.

“I understand fratricidal war as one which involves a certain number of people from a homogeneous population who defend their ideological principles and with arms confront each other. This is a peaceful nation, the demonstrators protested against those who turned Ukraine into a ‘zone,’ securing and protecting themselves from Berkut and the criminals ‘titushky’... I don’t understand where the fratricide is? Explain...” asks Bishop Dymytriy.

The metropolitan said that after a fratricidal war would be followed by reconciliation.

“Well, I had this idea: if it was a fratricidal war or conflict, as a result there should be great and complete reconciliation, and what is there to reconcile? Here the brothers need to cry to heaven for vengeance... Sorry, I’m not sure I’m thinking in a Christian way,” said the metropolitan.