Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Ukraine calls for a ceasefire, but only for 24 hours.
In a statement issued by the press service of the Patriarchate of Moscow, it is stated that Patriarch Kirill appeals to “all parties involved in the internal conflict for a ceasefire and the establishment of a Christmas truce for the 24 hours of Christmas, January 7” (a day where Christmas is celebrated according to the Julian Calendar).
The reason is that the Orthodox should be able to attend the liturgy on Christmas Eve and on the day of the Nativity of Christ.
The Patriarch of Moscow’s call for only a partial (one-day) ceasefire instead of ending the war altogether is causing questions.
Also noteworthy is the reference to the invasion of the territory of Ukraine by Russian forces as an “internal conflict”, refraining once again from naming the war that Russia started against neighboring Ukraine.
Efi Efthimiou