The global Orthodox Christian Church has criticized Patriarch Kirill of Moscow for his stance on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year.
At 78 years old, Patriarch Kirill, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, has shown strong support for the Russian government, President Vladimir Putin, and his political elites.
Following Russia’s missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, the Orthodox Public Affairs Committee (OPAC) issued a statement urging Patriarch Kirill to speak out against the war.
Expressing outrage over the Palm Sunday attack, which killed dozens, OPAC condemned “the ongoing spiritual support—explicit or implied—offered by Patriarch Kirill of the Moscow Patriarchate.”
It added that the Patriarch’s “posture toward this war, whether through words or silence, lends a disturbing legitimacy to actions that contradict the very teachings of the Gospel.”
“In moments like this, all spiritual leaders must speak clearly and courageously for peace,” the Orthodox Church’s public advocacy group emphasized.
The statement further noted that the violence in Sumy should be a turning point, prompting the world to urgently demand peace with conviction.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed that 34 people were killed in the Sunday missile strike, including two children, with at least 117 more injured.
However, the overall death toll for the weekend rose to 40, with regional Ukrainian officials updating the figures.
Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that in Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian attack on Kupiansk killed two people, injured one, and caused damage to houses.
Meanwhile, attacks in Kherson Oblast killed three civilians, injured six, and affected residential buildings and key infrastructure, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that eight people were injured in Odesa Oblast due to drone strikes, with injuries ranging from shrapnel wounds to burns.
Finally, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported a fatality from attacks in Donetsk Oblast, while an assault in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast left one man injured, as reported by Governor Serhii Lysak.