“This year, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrate the Resurrection of Christ under extraordinary circumstances, immersed in the pain, grief, tears, suffering, destruction, violence, and death brought to our peaceful land by the army of Russia” stressed Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and all Ukraine in his Easter message.
He then continued “These crimes against the peaceful people of Ukraine continued into and through Great Lent and to this day. Their now infamous symbols include Bucha, a thriving peaceful suburb of Kyiv where hundreds of civilians were executed in the weeks of Russian occupation, and Mariupol, a large, beautiful city named after the Mother of God, which Russia has turned into twisted ruins and graves for thousands of innocents slain”.
In regards to Patriarch Kirill, the Metropolitan of Kyiv stressed that “I am convinced that not only these crimes but also the words and actions of Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow, who from the ambon supported the war against Ukraine and consequently led those who trusted him as their shepherd to their deaths, should be condemned by the Fullness of Orthodoxy. No one with blood on their hands may hold the Chalice or the shepherd’s staff”.
Read below the message of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and all Ukraine
Christ is Risen!
On the occasion of Great and Holy Pascha, I wish to share with you the joyful words of the angelic message of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, confessing this truth as the cornerstone of our common Orthodox Christian faith.
This year, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrate the Resurrection of Christ under extraordinary circumstances, immersed in the pain, grief, tears, suffering, destruction, violence, and death brought to our peaceful land by the army of Russia. On the Eve of the Great Fast, the ruler of that country issued orders to attack Ukrainian cities and villages, to kill our brothers and sisters.
These crimes against the peaceful people of Ukraine continued into and through Great Lent and to this day. Their now infamous symbols include Bucha, a thriving peaceful suburb of Kyiv where hundreds of civilians were executed in the weeks of Russian occupation, and Mariupol, a large, beautiful city named after the Mother of God, which Russia has turned into twisted ruins and graves for thousands of innocents slain.
I am convinced that not only these crimes but also the words and actions of Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow, who from the ambon supported the war against Ukraine and consequently led those who trusted him as their shepherd to their deaths, should be condemned by the Fullness of Orthodoxy. No one with blood on their hands may hold the Chalice or the shepherd’s staff.
However, amid the darkness and suffering of war, the light of Christ’s Resurrection gives us confidence in the victory of truth, life, and of love. We are grateful to all those who, through prayers for peace in Ukraine, humanitarian aid, care for refugees, or words and actions condemning Russian aggression, have shown and continue to show their fraternal love.
Congratulating you from the bottom of my heart on the Resurrection of Christ, I wish you many and blessed years of service for the benefit of the Church and the pious flock entrusted to you, good health, increasing spiritual and physical strength, and all blessings from the Lord!
I ask your holy prayers for me, for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and for the victory of truth and a just peace for our country. I also assure you of my prayers.
