Top Russian cleric accused of 'moral crimes' by fellow Orthodox leaders for sanctioning invasion of

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Ukraine

WASHINGTON — Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, has been a loyal ally of President Vladimir Putin for years. But his vociferous support of the invasion of Ukraine has drawn strong rebukes from religious leaders who say he has forsaken Christian teachings by supporting the Kremlin’s destructive campaign.

In his most recent Sunday sermon, delivered at the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Moscow, Kirill told worshippers to respect official power — a message seemingly intended to bolster a military campaign that has gone badly for Russia. Once called “the politicking patriarch,” Kirill was enthroned in 2009 and is closely associated within Russia with the current political regime.

“May the Lord help us all in this difficult time for our Fatherland to unite, including around the authorities,” Kirill said in the sermon. He hoped that the Russian people would maintain “the ability to repel external and internal enemies.”

Kirill has been a vociferous and consistent supporter of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, despite the fact that the vast majority of Ukrainians are Eastern Orthodox. On Sunday, nearly 300 leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church signed a letter accusing Kirill of “moral crimes” for his endorsement of the unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which has killed thousands of civilians.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/top-russian-cleric-accused-of-crimes-by-fellow-orthodox-leaders-for-sanctioning-invasion-of-ukraine-182606573.html

[Me.]

1. Finally

and just how did he become leader of the church in the first place...a rigged election... guns to foreheads?

[TomSlick]

2. Time to add Patriarch Kirill to the sanctions list.

Patriarch Kirill is a former KGB member and remains a Putin ally.