Patriarch of ROC: We are for a just peace but far from pacifism

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow called for an end to the "internecine strife" between Ukraine and Russia. He said this in a sermon at the Divine Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin on October 18, 2022, Interfax reports.

“May the Lord incline His mercy to all our people, stop internecine strife. <...> May the Lord enlighten everyone who is involved in these hostilities, and everyone must understand that he is shooting at his brother. Therefore, the end of the war, the establishment of peace and the spiritual unity of all our people is our prayer today and should be the subject of our common efforts,” said the Patriarch.

At the same time, he noted that in this case he considers himself far from "what is called pacifism in the Western language."

Pacifism, according to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, is a struggle for peace under any circumstances and very often under any conditions.

“However, we always say, and this is rooted in our spiritual tradition, that there can be no peace without justice. A world without justice breaks down with any complication of the situation or circumstances at hand, or a change in people's attitudes towards the theme of this peace. Therefore, there must be a lasting peace, and in order for it to be so, it is necessary that by the power of God all these diabolical thoughts be eradicated from the consciousness of people who do not strive for the unity of Holy Rus, so that everyone realizes the responsibility for maintaining the spiritual unity of the Russian world,” said Patriarch Kirill.

As reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Kirill stated that he believes in the complete reconciliation of Ukraine and Russia.

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