It is profoundly disappointing to see that Russia has continued bombing Ukraine into holy week. It is now apparent Russia will bomb Orthodox Ukraine on Pascha. This is the first time an Orthodox country has been bombed on Pascha since 1999 when the Clinton administration bombed Serbia.
There are many of us Greeks who love Russia and who have become disturbed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Over thirty years Russia became a power again to challenge the west’s domination. Politically, I am still sympathetic to Russia but not to the insane war and devastation.
Morality must come before politics. Offensive wars are evil no matter who starts them. Russia had the moral high ground after the American offensive wars in Serbia and Iraq. By invading Ukraine, Russia has forfeited the moral high ground.
The fact that Russia now refuses to stop the war during Pascha does much to discredit the claim that Russia is the defender of Orthodoxy. Politically, Russia is entirely correct in feeling threatened and encircled by NATO. Especially after a history of being invaded.
The moral problem with Russia’s actions has to do with the ordinary citizens of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine are dying and having their homes destroyed. The ordinary Ukrainian is not to blame for NATO or for the actions of the Ukrainian government.
Russia has responded to NATO in a very bad way. Offensive wars and holy wars are not Orthodox. Crusaders are not Orthodox. The Russians need to stop the war immediately. The crucified Christ does not care about politics.
The lord who will rise from the tomb does care about the ordinary citizens of Ukraine. I am a long time believer that Moscow is the third rome (the successor to Byzantium) but that idea is collapsing as long as Moscow continues waging war.
One reply on “Orthodox Pascha 2022”
Well stated. Another disappointment is the Orthodox Church top leadership forgoing the opportunity to promote peace discussions, instead they spend their time slinging accusations and slander against each other. It’s absolutely appalling to me to see Bartholomew in particular doing nothing to bring reapproachment with Moscow, sitting by while Turkey-of all nations-tries to get the two sides to talk peace. What good is Constantinople if they don’t use their good offices to bring together the Orthodox sides in this conflict? In my view, Constantinople has lost greater prestige than even Russia in this conflict.