The non-governmental organization "Sofia Brotherhood" issued a statement today in which it expresses its sincere condolences to all the victims, families of those killed and wounded as a result of the armed aggression and fully condemns the leadership of the aggressor state in the person of Putin and the leadership of the ROC in the person of Patriarch Kirill for the unleashed military aggression.
Full text of the appeal:
Statement of the Sophia Brotherhood on the Criminal Activities of the Russian Orthodox Church
The full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on for more than two years. The troops of the Russian Federation, inspired by the criminal "blessing" of the Moscow Patriarch, constantly carry out missile and drone attacks on civilian objects, infrastructure and buildings of civilians in Ukraine, sowing terror, blood and death among our people.
In these difficult times, the Sophia Brotherhood expresses its sincere condolences to all the victims, families of those killed and wounded as a result of the armed aggression.
The Sophia Brotherhood fully condemns the leadership of the aggressor state in the person of Putin and the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church in the person of Patriarch Kirill for the unleashed military aggression, criminal assistance and spiritual blessing of it, which are aimed at destroying Ukraine.
We declare that we are called together by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to defend our country and our neighbours from the newest personification of evil - ruscism, which has its ideological basis in the neo-imperial, neocolonial concept of the "Russian world".
Keeping in mind the Lord's command not to judge (Matthew 7:1), we call for the righteous judgement of God on Putin, Patriarch Kirill and their henchmen for all the atrocities inflicted on the people of Ukraine, on all those involved in the propaganda of armed aggression against Ukraine. In this regard, we consider it unacceptable to hold prayerful commemorations of Patriarch Kirill both in Ukraine and abroad.
We appeal to Ukrainians all over the world, especially to bishops, priests and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church of Ukrainian origin: listen to the voice of your heart, do not be indifferent to our grief, reject the prayers that are being slipped to you for the victory of the Russian army! In doing so, you are praying for the destruction of the Ukrainian people – the people from whose cradle you came.
We call on the Primates of the local Orthodox Churches to give their true assessment of the concept of the "Russian world" preached by the Russian Orthodox Church, which has clear signs of heretical teaching. We believe that the Moscow Patriarch must be brought to canonical responsibility for inciting hatred and supporting armed aggression, to which he has arbitrarily given a special metaphysical dimension.
We are convinced that Kirill Gundyaev has no moral right to occupy the patriarchal throne for his anti-Christian behaviour.
In these days of Lent, we urge everyone to pray especially fervently to God for the liberation of Ukraine from the insane occupier, for our Victory and the establishment of a just peace!
We will do everything possible to provide material and spiritual support to the defenders of Ukraine and all those who have suffered in this hour of hardship.
May the Lord's mercy be with us all!