Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Kirill: Russia, Ukraine are one nation, church persecution 'pathetic'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Jan 2023 17:59
  • 2 Shares
5 Min Read

In celebration of Orthodox Christmas, the Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia reaffirms the importance of the role of the church in society, especially during times of conflict.

  • x
  • Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conducts the Orthodox Christmas service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia, January 6, 2022 (Reuters).
    Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conducts the Orthodox Christmas service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia, January 6, 2022 (Reuters).

Orthodox Christians in Russia celebrated Christmas on January 7. At midnight, the Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia, Kirill, held Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow where he reiterated past support and compassion for all those harmed as a result of the war in Ukraine. 

Significantly, Serbs, Georgians, Poles, and Ukrainians, as well as parishioners of the Greek Orthodox Church of Al-Quds, Eastern Catholic Churches, and monks of Mount Athos also celebrated Christmas on January 7.

During service, Kirill highlighted that "all of the most terrible conflicts today occur because people are moving away from faith. Conversely, relying on faith, one can heal conflicts and overcome them," as he hoped for peace throughout the world.

Compassion toward those in need and offering help and support were at the core of Kirill's Christmas message ahead of the liturgy as he called on people to sympathize with each other.

War in Ukraine and the Orthodx church 

Following a ban by Ukraine against the Russian Orthodox Church and following several violent incidents against its priests and adherents, the Patriarch noted in his Christmas message that "we deeply sympathize with all those who lost their homes and were forced to leave the [Ukraine] conflict zone, move to safer places." 

The bill that banned the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine aimed to "defend Ukraine's national security," according to the text of the bill itself, as it associates "the liberation of Ukraine from the Russian Orthodox Church [to] another step towards independent Ukraine."

However, the Russian Patriarch argued that attempts to destroy the canonical Orthodox church in Ukraine were not only futile but also "pathetic". He explained that the religious division that the Ukrainian government invoked as well as reinforced is what's standing in the way of servitude to the people and the Ukrainian society. 

Read more: Ukraine disregards Russian Orthodox Christmas truce, shells Donbass

Kirill also reaffirmed, in an interview for Rossiya-1, following morning Mass on Saturday, the unity of Russia and Ukraine as a single nation, stressing that the church must take every precaution to prevent them from becoming adversaries.

Related News

Zakharova slams Ukraine's decision against priests as 'Satanism'

Ukraine disregards Russian Orthodox Christmas truce, shells Donbass

"This is a single nation who came out of Kiev's Epiphany font, but a very large people spread from the White to the Black Sea. And this enormity always caused fears and envy among others; therefore, since ancient times, external forces have worked to divide this people, pull them away, or even pit one with another," the Patriarch said.

Патриарх Кирилл назвал русских и украинцев единым народом, вышедшим из киевской купели крещения

По словам священнослужителя, Церковь должна делать все, чтобы они не стали врагами. pic.twitter.com/mDnBD7W62Y

— Газета.Ru (@GazetaRu) January 7, 2023

In this regard, Kirill explained that Ukraine attempted to create a "civilizational prerequisite" for the separation of Russians and Ukrainians.

The Patriarch concluded that "of course, the future depends on how 'successful' all this activity aimed at creating a gap between two parts of the same nation will be. But the church must do everything so that in no case do Ukrainians and Russians become enemies."

Father Vasilyev becomes a symbol

Earlier in November of 2022, the rector of the Patriarchal Metochion at the headquarters of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, Advisor to the Chairman of the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies Archpriest Mikhail Vasilyev war killed in Ukraine by what reports noted were shrapnel wounds from a missile launched by a US-made HIMARS system.

Father Vasilyev served decades in the Russian military. He has participated in a number of armed conflicts, where he offered spiritual guidance to the nation's troops during Russian peacekeeping missions to Kosovo and Bosnia, battles in Abkhazia and Kyrgyzstan, insurrections in Russia's North Caucasus, and Russia's mission in Syria.

❗Владимир Путин присвоил звание Героя России протоиерею Михаилу Васильеву, погибшему в ходе СВО pic.twitter.com/niY1ecf4ea

— Газета.Ru (@GazetaRu) November 8, 2022

During the interview with Rossiya-1, Kirill remembered Father Vasilyev and remarked that “we knew that Father Mikhail Vasilyev was followed and this strike was conducted in order to kill him. Every priest near the frontline is aware he is an easy and wanted target, however, no one leaves until the priesthood recalls, all remain loyal to their priestly oath and pastoral duty.”
 
It is also important to note that in 2022 while carrying out their pastoral duties in the area of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, Russian Archpriest Oleg Artemov, Priest Anatoly Grigoriev, Archpriest Evfimy Kozlovtsev, and Priest Alexander Tsyganov were also killed.

Putin's Christmas message

At midnight, on January 6-7, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended Christmas Mass at the Kremlin’s Annunciation Cathedral.

Following the service, Putin stated, "I wish Orthodox Christians and all those celebrating Christmas good health, success and all the very best.”

In his Christmas message, Putin also noted the importance of the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in “unifying society, preserving our historical memory, educating the youth and strengthening the institution of family.”

Furthermore, he added that the Russian Orthodox Church prioritized maintaining interethnic and interfaith peace in Russia, as well as providing support for anyone in need alongside supporting soldiers participating in the special military operation in Ukraine.

Read more: Liberation movements in a historical echo: Latin America to West Asia

  • Orthodox Christmas
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin
  • Mikhail Vasilyev
  • Russia
  • Orthodox Church
  • Moscow and All Russia Patriarch
  • Christmas
  • Ukraine
  • Kirill
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS