Holy Week is about to begin. This year we will be thinking about the blood of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine. Men, women, and children who are being bombed by other Orthodox Christians. The unpleasant reality is that Russia invaded Ukraine.
One can recognize the serious offenses by NATO against Russia while condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and all atrocities that accompany it. As a pro Russian Greek, it is disheartening to conclude that Russia is in the wrong.
In 1999, Orthodox Christians condemned the bombing of Serbia on Great and Holy Pascha. This year, an Orthodox Christian leader is bombing an Orthodox country. One can dismiss CNN and the New York Times. For ten years, they have promoted anti Russian hysteria and outright lies such as the election hoax.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (the canonical one) has condemned the Russian invasion and fifteen of its bishops refuse to commemorate Patriarch Kyril of Moscow. The Ukrainian Church cannot be dismissed as promoting western propaganda.
In light of continued Russian bombing of Ukraine on the eve of holy week, it is impossible to avoid blaming Russia for the war and its continuation.