The clergy of the Russian parish of St. Nicholas in Amsterdam announced that from now on, they will not commemorate the name of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, because of the Patriarch’s stance on the issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“In this way, we align ourselves with the Orthodox clergy of Ukraine, which in increasing numbers ceases to commemorate Patriarch Kirill,” says the relevant statement:
Statement by the clergy of the Russian St Nicholas parish in Amsterdam
We as the clergy of St. Nicholas parish in Amsterdam have expressed our shock at the invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Seeing the extreme violence, destruction and suffering of the population of Ukraine, our community has launched a humanitarian campaign in assistance of the refugees.
We as clergy signed an appeal to Patriarch Kirill to break his silence about the conflict and to advocate with the authorities for peace.
Today Patriarch Kirill spoke out about the war. In a circular letter he offered a prayer for peace which places the sole responsibility for the war with foreign powers (“Rebuke the foreign nations that are longing for war and that are arming themselves against holy Rus, and overthrow their designs”). The prayer also asks to “instruct those in authority to all good things.”
We distance ourselves from Patriarch Kirill’s narrative. In the light of the above we will no longer mention the name of Patriarch Kirill in the divine services. In doing so, we align ourselves with the Orthodox clergy of Ukraine, who in ever greater numbers are ceasing to commemorate Patriarch Kirill”.
If you have any questions about this statement, please let us know at office@orthodox-amsterdam.nl
With love in Christ,
Meletios, archimandrite
