By Efi Efthymiou
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov declared their support for President Putin with separate statements, even called on the faithful to do the same.
In particular, on Saturday, and while the rebellion of Wagner was in full swing, a statement by Patriarch Kirill appeared on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.
In the announcement, Patriarch Kirill declared his support for the “head of the Russian state (i.e. President Putin) with the aim of preventing unrest in our country, calling on all hierarchs, clergy, monks and lay people to intensify their prayers for the Lord to preserve peace and unity, which are in danger.”
He also added that “today, when our brothers are fighting and dying on the fronts, selflessly fulfilling their duty, when the enemies are making every effort to destroy Russia, every effort to sow discord in the country, it is the greatest crime that has no excuse.”
It is noteworthy once again that for the head of the Russian Church, the invasion of Ukraine is a “selfless duty”, and that the Church is fully aligned with the Kremlin’s strategy.
The statement of Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov was similar. Metropolitan Tikhon, in his statement posted on the Metropolis account on the VKontakte social network, emphasized that “Russians must rally around President Putin to prevent a division that is fatal for the country and the people.”
“Preserving your faith and convictions, put aside strife and discord, no matter how important they may seem to the parties to the conflict today, and be in unity with the one whom God’s Providence has put to rule Russia,” he said in his statement, suggesting that Putin rules Russia by God’s providence.
“No matter how this person is called in history: Grand Duke, Tsar, Emperor or Chairman of the State Defense Committee and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the USSR… today, President Vladimir Putin bears this burden, cross and responsibility,” concludes in his statement.
Read the post made by Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov in Russian is below:
