There are two Orthodox Churches in Ukraine: one is dependent on the Moscow Patriarchate. Another independent, he was officially released three years ago, a historic decision that also created very strong tensions between the two currents. For the Orthodox who remain in the bosom of Moscow, the main spiritual leader is Patriarch Kirill, 75, a close Kremlin ally who shares with Vladimir Putin an obsession with Russia’s greatness. They have the largest number of parishes in the country, but most of the followers claim to be an independent church. The war destroyed this already difficult coexistence.
The Church close to Moscow does not approve of the war. In Ukraine, the bombs shook the confidence of priests who lauded the benefits of their rapprochement with the Kremlin. Many distanced themselves from their leader, calling for resistance to the invasion, in some dioceses the name of Cyril is no longer pronounced, other monastics even broadcast videos where they declare that they are breaking all ties with the Russian Church and convening a national council to make a decision. Except that the boss remains unshakable. Kirill, one of the most powerful religious leaders in the world with over 100 million followers, is guided by the greatness of his Church.
And wherever his Patriarchate is historically present, throughout the territory of the former USSR, he carries the same message as Vladimir Putin. Silent during the annexation of Crimea in 2014, showing much more visible support this time. On February 27, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, he justified the intervention in Ukraine. “This is a war against the ‘forces of evil’,” he said, “who want to fight for the historical unity between our two countries.” On Sunday March 6, in his last sermon, again very political, he emphasized traditional Russian values and criticized the West: “decadent”.
Outside of Ukraine, Cyril, in spite of everything, is followed by other churches that depend on him, but at the limit of their lips. True, the patriarch of Albania or Serbia, for example, refuses to talk about “war” or “invasion.” But no one openly supports Cyril’s warlike words. Czech and Slovak representatives weigh their words, they hope that “the historical and spiritual ties between the two countries will help resolve the conflict.”
In Jerusalem, we talk about “crisis” without ever mentioning Russia. The significant number of Russians who come on pilgrimage to the Holy Land represent a significant source of income, and you shouldn’t get mad at them. At the same time, other movements, such as the Greek Orthodox Church, express their full support for Ukraine and condemn the unjust conflict.
This war shuffles the cards. In Ukraine, in any case, a good part of the bishops under the tutelage of Russia could join an independent church. There is a separation from Moscow, it will be necessary to see whether it is translated into the statutes of the Church and whether it is regulated in wartime. The war destroyed this already difficult coexistence.