Patriarch Kirill: Putin ally faces backlash after 'blessing' war

[Uncle Joe]

(snip)

Nearly 300 priests and deacons, including military veterans, recently signed an open letter titled Russian Priests for Peace.

“We respect the God-given freedom of man, and we believe that the people of Ukraine should make their choice on their own, not at gunpoint, without pressure from the West or the East,” the letter reads.

(snip)

Priests have not been spared in the crackdown on dissent. One clergyman in central Russia was reportedly fined $330 for using the word “war” in an article on his church’s website. It has become illegal to refer to the ongoing invasion as a war; rather, the Kremlin approved “special military operation” euphemism must be used.

Meanwhile, Orthodox clergy worldwide have condemned the invasion, including Patriarch Daniel of Romania, Archbishop Leo of Finland, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and all Africa, and the heads of the Russian Orthodox Church in Paris and Estonia.

(snip)

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/28/patriarch-kirill-putin-ally-faces-backlash

[RussBLib]

1. Russian Orthodox still in the dark ages

like most religions, I suppose.

antiquated, just like the rest of Russian society.

[Igel]

2. Ukrainian Orthodox priest was shot by Russian troops.

He was talking to them and holding a cross over his head.

He and his aide were gunned down.

Kirill probably heard this and asked that the shooters be presented for special blessing.