Jerusalem Patriarchate condemns Western sanctions against Patriarch Kirill

On June 18, at a meeting with British journalists – representatives of various media, the hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia, supported Patriarch Kirill and spoke negatively about the attempts of Western countries to impose sanctions against the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church for his position regarding the military operation in Ukraine, romfea.gr reports. .

“We are strongly opposed to all provocations carried out by some Western forces against His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. We cannot silently witness attacks of this kind and regard them hence as lawless, inappropriate actions against a religious person of such a high level, who is a real spiritual symbol of modern Orthodoxy,” said Archbishop Theodosios. He recalled that Patriarch Kirill is not a party to any political conflict and, as a man of peace, always stands for dialogue. The hierarch stressed that the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, based on its moral and religious convictions, rejects all types of wars, any manifestation of violence in any region of the world.

“The accusations against Patriarch Kirill are false and groundless. I want to reiterate it that His Holiness has always called on the parties to reconcile, to renounce wars and violence,” said Archbishop Theodosios. He called on all those in the West who are engaged in incitement against His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to "renounce their aggressive position not only against His Holiness, but also against the entire Orthodox Church."

“We express our prayerful support to the Russian Orthodox Church and its Primate, Patriarch Kirill. We ask God for an end to the war in Ukraine, for the possibility of resolving all political differences through dialogue and thoughtful decision-making,” said Archbishop Theodosios.

“We view provocations against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church as hostile actions on the part of the West against the entire Orthodox Church. Once again I would like to express a feeling of deep solidarity with the Russian Church and the confidence that these accusations, which are baseless, will not affect the life of the Russian Orthodox Church, its head, clergy and believers,” Vladyka emphasized. He recalled that Patriarch Kirill is the Primate for more than 100 million believers not only from Russia and Ukraine, but also from many other countries of the world, and “he has always delivered sermons about love, peace and mercy, calls for reconciliation of all warring parties, renunciation of all forms of violence and terrorism”.

As reported by the UOJ, the UK imposed sanctions against Patriarch Kirill.

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