There are two Orthodox Churches in Ukraine: one depends on the Patriarchate of Moscow. The other is independent, it was officially emancipated three years ago, a historic decision which had also created very strong tensions between the two currents. The Orthodox who have remained in the bosom of Moscow have as their ultimate spiritual leader the 75-year-old Patriarch Kirill, a close associate of the Kremlin who shares with Vladimir Putin the obsession with the greatness of Russia. They are the ones with the largest number of parishes across the country, but it is the independent church that claims the most followers. The war shattered this already difficult coexistence.
The Church close to Moscow does not approve of the war. In Ukraine, the bombs shook the certainties of the priests who extolled the benefits of their rapprochement with the Kremlin. Many have distanced themselves from their leader, calling for resistance to the invasion, in some dioceses, the name of Kirill is no longer pronounced, other religious have even broadcast videos where they claim to break all ties with the Russian Church, and to convene a national council to decide. Except that the boss remains unwavering. Kirill, one of the most powerful religious leaders in the world, leading more than 100 million followers, is driven by the greatness of his Church.
And wherever his Patriarchate is historically present, throughout the territory of the former USSR, he carries the same message as Vladimir Putin. Remained silent during the annexation of Crimea in 2014, this time it shows much more marked support. On February 27, at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, he justified the intervention in Ukraine. “It’s a war against the ‘forces of evil’, he saidwho want to fight the historic unity between our two countries.” Sunday March 6 in his last homily, once again very political, he highlighted traditional Russian values and criticized a West: “decadent”.
Outside of Ukraine, Kirill is followed in spite of everything by the other churches which depend on him but at the end of their lips. It is true that the Patriarch of Albania or that of Serbia, for example, refuses to speak of “war” Where “of invasion”. But no one openly shows support for Kirill’s warlike words. The Czech and Slovak representatives weigh their words, they hope that “the historical and spiritual ties between the two countries will help resolve the conflict”.
In Jerusalem, there is talk of a “crisis” without ever naming Russia. The significant number of Russians who come on pilgrimage to the Holy Land represents a significant source of income, it is not a question of getting angry with them. At the same time, other currents such as that of the Greek Orthodox Church express their full support for Ukraine and denounce an unjust conflict
This war is reshuffling the cards. In Ukraine in any case, a good part of the bishops under Russian tutelage could join the independent church. The separation with Moscow is underway, it will be necessary to see if it is translated into the statutes of the Church and it is not the kind of thing that is regulated in time of war. The war shattered this already difficult coexistence.