ROC Archdiocese in Western Europe calls on Patriarch Kirill to condemn war

The Episcopal Council of the Archdiocese of Orthodox Churches of the Russian Tradition in Western Europe called upon Patriarch Kirill to condemn the war. The corresponding declaration was published on the official website of the Archdiocese.

"The war has been going on for eight months now, and during this time many Christian leaders around the world have appealed to Patriarch Kirill to intercede for peace. We are witnessing that so many of our communities, seeing as their sole goal the search for peace in the name of the Gospel, are in a state of turmoil. Among the parishioners of our churches there are many Russians and Ukrainians who are suffering with all of us from the current situation," the statement said. 

"We once again ask His Holiness to speak with all the power of the Patriarch's word in favour of the peace process and to call on all leaders and decision-makers of the Russian Federation to do so. Metropolitan John, the vicar bishops, the members of the Archdiocesan Council, urging all to pray unceasingly, especially at Divine Liturgies, implore His Holiness to speak out for an immediate end to the fratricidal war, which poses too great a threat to the whole world today," the declaration concludes with these words. 

As reported, the head of the Estonian Church does not share the Patriarch's words about the forgiveness of sins to soldiers.