In a social media statement, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, denounced what he described as the violent and idolatrous nature of the so-called “Russian world,” drawing a direct parallel between ancient pagan empires and contemporary Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“Today we once again become convinced that the ‘Russian world’ is a pagan empire of evil,” Metropolitan Epifaniy wrote at the outset of his message.
Reflecting on the history of Christian persecution, he recalled how early Christians were pressured to renounce Christ during the Roman Empire, citing well-known martyrs such as Saint George the Great Martyr, Saints Barbara and Catherine, and Saint Panteleimon the Healer. He noted that for nearly three centuries, the Roman Empire used flattery, promises of wealth and power, and ultimately brutal torture in an attempt to force Christians to abandon their faith.
“Neither flattery, nor torment, nor even the threat of death was able to force the saints to turn away from Christ,” he emphasized.
Metropolitan Epifaniy argued that the modern Russian state, which falsely proclaims itself a “Third Rome,” has inherited not the spiritual legacy of Christianity but the coercive methods of pagan Rome: “The newest empire of evil, which falsely proclaimed itself the ‘Third Rome,’ took from ancient pagan Rome only one thing—the desire to use flattery or torture to force others into betrayal.”
He accused this self-proclaimed “Rome” of deliberately torturing those who refuse to bow to the idols of the “Russian world,” adding that those who do not kneel before “the Kremlin tyrant” or accept the myth of his supposed “God-chosenness” are targeted.
In particularly sharp language, Metropolitan Epifaniy criticized the role of Russia’s religious leadership: “The Russian patriarch openly and zealously promotes this belief, resembling in such ‘service’ not a Christian hierarch, but a pagan priest of the cult of the emperor.”
Turning to the present reality in Ukraine, he stated that this “false pagan empire” continues to torture the Ukrainian people, including civilians in Kyiv and other cities. He stressed that recent attacks were directed exclusively at civilian infrastructure: “Russian deadly weapons this night were aimed solely at civilian infrastructure that provides city residents with electricity and heat and guarantees access to water.”
According to Metropolitan Epifaniy, the demand imposed by this “pagan tyranny” is clear: “It demands that we bow to a self-proclaimed ruler, accept faith in the ‘Russian world,’ renounce truth, dignity, and freedom, and renounce our identity as the Ukrainian people.”
He added that Russian religious leaders are also attempting to impose what he described as a “bloody heresy”: “They want us, instead of true Christianity, to profess the bloody heresy of a ‘holy war for the Russian world.’”
Concluding his statement with a declaration of defiance and faith, Metropolitan Epifaniy affirmed that Ukraine will not submit: “But we know and testify before the world that, despite any temptations or tortures, we will not bow to the ‘Russian world,’ and we will not worship this idol.”
Drawing strength from Christian history, he added: “The saints of ancient times did not submit to pagan tormentors and thus prevailed, while Roman paganism fell. We believe that this modern godless Kremlin tyranny will also fall.”
He closed with a final profession of hope and conviction: “For this we struggle, and we believe that with God—we will prevail.”
