During his visit to the Skete of Prophet Elias on Mount Athos, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine delivered a speech marked by strong references to the ongoing Russian aggression and its spiritual dimensions, linking contemporary events with biblical imagery.
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine compared Russia’s actions to those of the impious King Ahab of the Old Testament, emphasizing that “the powerful of this world have risen against our nation, our homeland Ukraine, and our Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
“These modern followers of the godless King Ahab,” he said, “want to destroy us just as the wicked king sought to destroy the Prophet Elias. But we are inspired by the example of this prophet, for like him, we know that truth is on our side.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy directly accused Russia’s religious and political leadership of defying the canonical order of the Orthodox Church and rejecting unity with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
“King Ahab despised Jerusalem and the temple of God,” he said. “Likewise, today the new Ahabs from the northern lands despise the canonical order established by the Fathers and the Ecumenical Councils. They reject the primacy of service held by the Ecumenical Patriarch and refuse to remain in ecclesial unity with their Mother, the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople.”
He contrasted this defiance with gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarch for his support of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, adding: “We raise heartfelt prayers for the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople — our Mother — and for her worthy Primate, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, by whose blessing we have come to the Holy Mountain.”
Epifaniy urged continued spiritual resistance, declaring that the Ukrainian Church “serves God and the pious people of Ukraine without fear, testifying to the truth, remaining faithful to canonical order, and seeking only what strengthens the true Orthodox faith.”
Concluding his remarks, he called on the monks and faithful to pray “for the end of the invasion of Ukraine and for the cessation of all suffering brought by the war — so that, through the efforts of all people of good will, the blessed peace of God may soon prevail.”
