"‘If You Die in War, All Sins Are Washed Away’ Kirill Patriarch's Controversial 'Support for Putin' Remarks"

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Declares Severance of Ties with Russian Orthodox Church

On the 12th, Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is attending a service at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, Russia. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, supported Russian President Vladimir Putin's partial mobilization order and urged Russian youth to enlist.

According to recent reports from foreign media such as the New York Post, Kirill stated during the Sunday service on the 25th, "Dying while fulfilling military service is a sacrifice for others," adding, "Through this sacrifice, all of one's sins are washed away."

During the worship service on the 21st, when the partial mobilization order for 300,000 reservists was issued, he preached, "Bravely go (to the battlefield) and fulfill your military duty," and "Remember that if you give your life for the motherland, you will enjoy glory and eternal life in heaven with God." He also said, "Fear of death makes warriors flee the battlefield, causes the weak to betray, and brothers to fight brothers, but true faith destroys the fear of death."

In religious circles, there is criticism that it is inappropriate for religious leaders to continue making statements supporting the war. Pope Francis, in an interview with an Italian daily on May 3, criticized Kirill's actions supporting the invasion of Ukraine, saying, "We must seek the path of peace and end the use of weapons," and pointed out, "The Patriarch must not become Putin's altar boy (a layperson assisting priests or monks)."

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under the Russian Orthodox Church, also declared severance of ties with the Russian mother church. On May 27, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church stated in a press release, "We do not agree with the war-related views of Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church." It added, "The council condemns the war as a violation of God's commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' and expresses condolences to all those suffering from the war."