EN: Moscow Patriarch gets call from World Council of Churches head to ‘raise up’ his voice so the ‘war can be stopped’

Patriarch Kirill (Kremlin.ru)

Crux reported the following:

Church leaders urge Russian patriarch to speak with Putin

March 3, 2022

ROME — Catholic and Orthodox leaders in Europe have appealed to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, urging him to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to put an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine. …

Polish Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki of Poznan, president of the Polish bishops’ conference, echoed Sauca’s sentiments, calling on the Russian patriarch “to appeal to Vladimir Putin to stop the senseless warfare against the Ukrainian people.” …

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising had appealed publicly to Kirill …

“I implore the patriarch of Moscow to exert his influence on this president so that the war can be ended, so that the weapons can be laid down,” Marx said.

Bishops, he added, are not politicians, “but we have the mission and the duty to proclaim the Gospel of peace, especially to those who think they can use violence and terror to achieve political goals.”

Although he has prayed for the safety of civilians and a quick end to the fighting, Kirill has been criticized for his close relationship with Putin and his lack of support for Ukrainian independence and territorial integrity.

At a divine liturgy in Moscow Feb. 27, three days after Russia launched its invasion, Kirill said, “We must not let dark and hostile external forces laugh at us; we must do everything to maintain peace between our peoples and at the same time protect our common historical fatherland from all outside actions that can destroy this unity.”

The statement prompted an immediate response from Orthodox Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv, head of the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, who said the Russian patriarch seemed more concerned with “keeping Putin and the Russian leadership engaged” than taking care of the Ukrainian people, “some of whom considered you their shepherd before the war.” https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2022/03/church-leaders-urge-russian-patriarch-to-speak-with-putin

Ecumenical News reported the following:

Moscow Patriarch gets call from World Council of Churches head to ‘raise up’ his voice so the ‘war can be stopped’

The head of the World Council of Churches Rev. Ioan Sauca has asked Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to mediate so that the war between Russia and Ukraine can be stopped. …

“It is with great pain and with a breaking heart that I am writing to Your Holiness,” wrote Sauca. “The tragic situation of the war in Ukraine has brought tremendous suffering and loss of lives.”

The Russian Orthodox Church is the world’s biggest in the Orthodox tradition and Sauca is from the Orthodox Church of Romania. …

“The whole world is looking with concern and expects to see a sign of hope for a peaceful solution. I receive letters every day from different parts of the world, from church leaders and the faithful of our WCC constituency asking to approach Your Holiness to mediate so that the war can be stopped and the great suffering ended,” wrote Sauca.

He said that “in these times of hopelessness,” many people look to Kiril as someon who could bring a sign of hope for a peaceful solution.

“I write to Your Holiness as acting general secretary of the WCC but also as an Orthodox priest.

“Please, raise up your voice and speak on behalf of the suffering brothers and sisters, most of whom are also faithful members of our Orthodox Church.” https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/moscow-patriarch-gets-call-from-world-council-of-churches-head-to-raise-up-his-voice-so-the-war-can-be-stopped/60983.htm

The situation with Patriarch Kirill and Ukraine is complicated from his perspective. Historically, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was basically under authority of the Russian Orthodox Church.

But back in 2018 the Ukrainian Orthodox petitioned the Patriarch of Constantinople to no longer be under the direction of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill was so impacted by this that he even asked the United Nations to get involved (see Ukrainian Orthodox meet to become separate: Russian Orthodox ask for the UN to intervene).

The World Council of Churches supported the Russian Orthodox Church at that time.

Despite warnings from Patriarch Kirill, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople signed a document in January 2019 recognizing Ukrainian church independence from Russia (see ‘Ukraine Orthodox Church granted independence from Russian Church’).

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who has long maintained a close working relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church, was not pleased with this.

The Serbian Orthodox supported the Russian Orthodox. And some in Ukraine, particularly in the eastern parts, have continued to be Russian Orthodox. Because some of these people are essentially under siege, Patriarch Kirill probably felt he that he needed to say something.

While the Russian Orthodox have ecumenical interest (see Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, of the Patriarchate of Moscow, promoting ecumenical cooperation), they cut their ties with Constantinople then. Furthermore, they also did with the Orthodox Church of Alexandria in December 2019 when it accepted the change in the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (see AP: Russia Orthodox Church cuts ties with Alexandria patriarch).

Perhaps it should also be mentioned that Pope Francis has publicly honored Vladimir Putin (e.g. Russia’s Putin and Pope Francis both kiss Marian icon).

Perhaps it should also be mentioned that most of the Eastern Orthodox are actually Russian Orthodox.

Patriarch Kirill may or may not publicly say more. And he may actually meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss the matter. If so, he might make some type of public statement about that.

Some think that Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis could be negotiators:

In 1962, when the Cuban missile crisis held the world hostage at the precipice of nuclear war, few people knew that quiet diplomacy by Pope John XXIII helped provide the United States and the Soviet Union the high ground they both needed to stand down. Nikita Khrushchev seized the title of global peacekeeper the pope was pleading for by withdrawing Soviet weapons from Cuba, while John F. Kennedy courageously conceded what the Soviets demanded by quietly removing U.S. weapons from Turkey. …

In 2016, Pope Francis became the first Catholic pontiff to meet a Russian patriarch, traveling to Cuba to meet the person he called his “brother.”

Could Francis and Kirill now initiate a conversation focused on their shared spiritual values? Is there ground for one more inspired handclasp between men of faith to restore peace? 03/01/22 https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/ukraine-bleeds-pope-francis-and-russian-patriarch-kirill-could-be-negotiators

Pope Francis has already made comments and would likely relish the opportunity to be involved.

While Patriarch Kirill has some limited influence with Vladimir Putin (and Pope Francis less so), there are limits to what he can do, plus limits to what he would even consider to do.

Why?

Well, for one reason, back in 2016, Russian Patriarch Kirill called Vladimir Putin a “miracle of God”:

June 8, 2016

MOSCOW—The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, recently said that the Soviet Union preserved Russia’s Christian morality – a claim that raised more than a few eyebrows. Omitting any mention of the Soviet government’s mass persecution of religious institutions, Kirill’s words appeared to some as an attempt to reconcile Russia’s conservative Orthodox traditions with its Soviet past. …

‘Miracle of God’

Patriarch Kirill, whose secular name is Vladimir Gundyayev, was installed as patriarch after the death of his predecessor, Alexei II. Since Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin for a third presidential term in 2012, the patriarch, who has called the Russian president’s rule a “miracle of God,” has been seen as a close ally of the Russian president, as Putin himself has increasingly used the Orthodox Church to try to legitimize his actions. …

Supporter of controversial bills

The Russian Orthodox Church also supported other controversial bills, such as the ban on adoption of Russian children by American citizens and the so-called “gay propaganda law,” which bans the “promotion” of “non-traditional relationships” to minors.

The new laws were believed to be an attempt to bolster Putin’s image of Russia as a bastion of “traditional values” and Christianity.

As for critics who express concern for human rights in Russia, Patriarch Kirill has a rebuttal. Speaking after a service in March of this year, the patriarch called belief in human rights that contradict the Bible a “global heresy.”

“Many Christians have accepted these views and gave more priority to human rights than the word of God,” he said. “We must protect Orthodoxy from the heresy of our times.” http://www.voanews.com/content/head-of-russian-orthodox-church-says-soviet-union-preserved-christian-morality/3367287.html

While the old Soviet Union was considered puritanical by some, it was officially atheistic, so for Patriarch Kirill to credit it for preserving what he calls ‘Christian morality’ seemed odd then (for information about history of the faithful church, see Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church and/or Continuing History of the Church of God).

As far as Vladimir Putin goes, he is the highest level political leader with ties to any of the Greco-Roman churches to come out publicly against expanding the LGBTQ+ agenda. He also came out against foul language in entertainment and protecting children from the LGBTQ+ agenda.

And while I would NOT refer to him as ‘miracle of God’ (any more than other people could be considered) it is refreshing that he stood against the trend in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA to promote that agenda. This, in my view, was something that caused the Obama Administration to distance itself from Russia and likely was a factor in the USA supporting the overthrow of the democratically elected president on Ukraine back in 2013/2014.

Vladimir Putin wants his version of the Roman Empire and is working on it.

Patriarch Kirill likely supports many of Vladimir Putin’s objectives, though he may make one or more public comments asking for peace, etc.

Although he is open to taking advice from Patriarch Kirill, Vladimir Putin, himself, will do what HE thinks is best, and if that means militarily continuing in Ukraine, he will. If he thinks something else is best, Vladimir Putin will try to do that.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? Are we close to the battle with Gog and Magog? Fourrelated videos are available:Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?, Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?, Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?, and Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church. Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, and What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, and Early Heresies and Heretics, and Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, and Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, and Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video of related interest could be Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are? Here is a link to a related sermon: Eastern Orthodox 40+ Similar Beliefs to the CCOG.
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Greco-Roman Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.