The Russian Orthodox Church has officially approved at least 12 prayers about the war
The Russian Orthodox Church has officially approved at least 12 war-related prayers, including a mandatory prayer “for Holy Rus’,” which contains a plea for Russia’s victory. This was reported on August 2 by the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
The Center noted that, in its view, this fact demonstrates the Kremlin’s consistent use of the Russian Orthodox Church to sanctify the war against Ukraine and provide a “spiritual” justification for it.
According to the Center, prior to the start of the full-scale invasion, the Russian Orthodox Church’s rhetoric regarding the war was more veiled and included calls “for peace.” At the same time, as Russian researchers note, the militarization of church texts has become overt since 2022.
The Center emphasized that a key element is the mandatory prayer “for Holy Rus,” which is recited in every Russian Orthodox church. It contains a plea for Russia’s victory, and clergy who refuse to recite it may be defrocked.
In addition, according to the Center, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church is approving new prayer texts for soldiers and their mothers. Also on the front lines, according to the Center, priests are distributing unofficial prayers, including one for “Archistrategos Vladimir,” in which Russian President Vladimir Putin is equated with the Archangel Michael.
The Center for Countering Disinformation stated that the systematic dissemination of such prayers demonstrates that the Russian Orthodox Church is a propaganda tool of the Kremlin, and its activities, according to the agency’s assessment, have nothing to do with spirituality or Christian ethics.
Source: Center for Countering Disinformation.
As a reminder, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill (Vladimir Gundyaev), stated that the creation of the atomic bomb in the USSR was a manifestation of “God’s grace” and helped prevent the country’s destruction. He made this statement after the liturgy at the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Divyevsky Monastery.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has published a book titled *War: Beyond the Visible Causes and Consequences*, in which he asserts that the outcome of wars is supposedly determined by God, and victory goes to those who stand “on the side of light.”
In addition, Russian Patriarch Kirill complained about Ukraine to all religious and state leaders around the world.
Earlier, we also reported that Ukrainians trust Metropolitan Epiphanius the most among church leaders, according to a poll.
