Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine marked the Orthodox Day of Prayer for the Environment with a social media post highlighting the environmental consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling on the Christian world to take action.
Metropolitan Epifaniy recalled that 37 years have passed since the late Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios initiated the tradition of observing September 1, the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, as a Day of Prayer for the Environment. He noted that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine continues to participate in the observance, emphasizing that the universe, the planet and everything within them are God’s creation, which humanity is called to protect and preserve.
At the same time, he warned that the environmental consequences of Russia’s invasion extend far beyond Ukraine and increasingly affect the wider European continent.
He referred to explosions, fires, flooding, continuous shelling, damage to and mining around nuclear power plants, as well as the pollution of air, soil, groundwater and seas. According to Metropolitan Epifaniy, these consequences are “killing and poisoning not only Ukraine, but at least Europe as well.”
The Metropolitan argued that Russia is waging war “not only against people, but against all of God’s creation,” pointing to water pollution and shortages, forest fires, deteriorating air quality, loss of biodiversity, damaged ecosystems and the accumulation of hazardous waste.
“Every act of this diabolical war is also a war against our common environment, against God’s design and creation,” he wrote.
Metropolitan Epifaniy also called on the international community not to remain passive in the face of the war, arguing that environmental problems are rooted above all in a spiritual crisis.
“If the Christian world truly cares about God’s creation, if it genuinely follows the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, then it cannot remain indifferent and passive toward what is happening before its eyes in Ukraine,” he stressed.
Concluding his message, Metropolitan Epifaniy called for unity “in prayer, in deeds and in struggle” to protect life and creation and to leave future generations a safer and more peaceful world.
