Home page News
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill sends messages to Pr…

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill sends messages to Presidents of Russia and Ukraine on the eve of the Day of Baptism of Russia

On the eve of the celebrations marking the millennium of the demise of the Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent identical messages to the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin, and the President of Ukraine, Mr. Petr Poroshenko, in which he expressed his deep concern over the situation in eastern Ukraine.

“The Minsk agreements stopped the escalation of the conflict, raising hopes for the complete cease-fire between the belligerent sides. Regrettably, the hostilities, though not as large-scale as before, have been going on to this day. Blood is being shed and people are being killed in Ukraine,” the Patriarchal message reads.

In his appeal, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church dwells on the fate of the civil population living in the zone of armed clashes. “Old and disabled people and children are the most vulnerable group,” Patriarch Kirill continues. “There are people who have neither strength nor opportunities to leave their native lands. Unfortunately, not all of them survive in this terrible situation. Some of them die under artillery bombardments; others die from hunger and illnesses, and because of the lack of medicaments and necessities.”

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill also speaks about the aid that the Church renders to those who have found themselves on different sides of the conflict and have been affected by the hostilities. “During every Divine Service in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church, ardent prayers are lifted up to God for the reestablishment of peace. His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under his guidance are doing all they can, seeking reconciliation and restoration of the national unity,” the message reads.

At the same time, the Primate notes that the security of the civil population in this region can only be ensured “by the cessation of the hostilities, strict observance of the Minsk agreements, and direct dialogue between all conflicting parties.”

In the days when the Church commemorates the “Baptizer of the Holy Rus’ who laid the foundation of spiritual unity of the Russian and the Ukrainian peoples and taught us Christian love and forgiveness,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, “with an aching heart,” asks Presidents of Russia and Ukraine “on behalf of the whole Russian Orthodox Church to exert every effort in order to stop the bloodshed.”

Share:
Congratulations of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the President of Turkey on his 70th birthday

26.02.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill's condolences in connection with the murder of the monks of the Ziquala Abo Monastery in Ethiopia

24.02.2024

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at the XII Christmas Parliamentary Meetings at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation

23.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: Patriarch of Constantinople is not a free man

07.01.2024

Christmas Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’

06.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill had phone conversation with Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol

02.01.2024

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill expresses condolences over deadly earthquake in northwest China

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on his re-election as President of Egypt

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill welcomes the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the decoration of the Church of St Sava in Belgrade

19.12.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill presides over jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill at jubilee meeting of Inter-Religious Council of Russia

07.12.2023

Patriarchal greetings on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Vienna and Austria

26.11.2023

Primate of Russian Church presents historic miracle-working Kazan Icon of the Mother of God to the faithful and celebrates Liturgy in the Kremlin Dormition Cathedral

04.11.2023

Address by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ to the participants of the World Conference of Compatriots Living Abroad

01.11.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill met with the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East

31.10.2023

Metropolitan Hilarion: Many things in a person's life depend on faith

29.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Holy Spirit is the main treasure of the Christian soul

01.08.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: Holiness is a constant striving to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ

27.06.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: God does not want to condemn, but to save us

07.03.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord always grants to us the opportunity to display our talents

24.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: The Lord has imbued the waters of Jordan with his divine presence to wash away human sins

19.01.2021

Metropolitan Hilarion: to repent means to change your way of life

17.01.2021

On commemoration day of St. Catherine, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk officiated at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr In-the-Fields  the representation of the Orthodox Church in America

07.12.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We can always show compassion for people

29.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates on commemoration day of St. Varlaam of Khutyn at the church of ‘Joy to All the Afflicted’ icon of the Mother of God

19.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: We should remember that the life of each human being is in the hands of God

06.11.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: For God there is nothing impossible

25.10.2020

Metropoplitan Hilarion: The cross which was an instrument of dishonourable execution becomes the symbol of salvation for millions of people

27.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Eucharist is the wedding feast, to which Lord Jesus Christ invites each of us

13.09.2020

Metropolitan Hilarion: Faith alone is not enough for salvation

30.08.2020

Page is available in the following languages
Feedback

Fields marked by * are mandatory required

Send a message
Рус Укр Eng Deu Ελλ Fra Ita Бълг ქარ Срп Rom عرب