Archimandrite Bartholomew, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou on Mount Athos, issued a deeply moving and outspoken statement on the war in Ukraine following his recent visit to Kyiv at the invitation of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
In a message shared on social media, the Athonite abbot reflected on what he witnessed in areas struck by Russian attacks, emphasizing that the locations he visited were purely residential neighborhoods rather than military targets.
“The sight of bombed homes evokes profound horror and revulsion. In these ruins, there is not a trace of humanity,” he wrote, describing destroyed houses, shattered livelihoods, and innocent lives lost within moments.
Archimandrite Bartholomew spoke particularly about the suffering of civilians, stressing that behind every collapsed building lies a personal tragedy and a family enduring immense hardship. He also criticized attempts to justify attacks on civilians or to portray such tragedies as a form of “divine punishment.”
“Our God is merciful and loving toward mankind. He is not a vengeful God who uses bombs and weapons to punish sin,” he stated, firmly rejecting such interpretations as a distortion of Christian teaching.
The abbot argued that the horrors of war are the result of human wickedness, selfishness, and the loss of love, calling on all people to raise “the voice of truth” against any effort to legitimize violence. “These strikes are not the will of God,” he said.
Concluding his message from what he described as a “wounded but unbroken Kyiv,” Archimandrite Bartholomew offered prayers for the victims of the war and for the restoration of peace. He expressed hope that the weapons would soon fall silent and that justice would prevail.
