Reporter’s Notebook: Ukrainian spiritual leader says Russian Orthodox Church extension of Kremlin
As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to work towards a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the leaders of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) are sounding the alarm about Russia’s perception of the conflict as a “holy war” against the West.
A delegation from the OCU recently visited the United States to participate in the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C. Led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphany, the leader of Kyiv and all of Ukraine, the group shed light on the spiritual dimension of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to His eminence Metropolitan Yevstratiy, the deputy head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s external church relations, Russia views the conflict as a way to liberate Ukrainians from what they perceive as the “Godless West” and bring them the “light and truth.” Yevstratiy and other church observers, such as Catholic intellectual George Weigel, have criticized the Russian Orthodox Church for being a tool of the Kremlin, serving Putin’s agenda under the guise of religious authority.
Weigel, in an article for First Things, highlighted how Russia’s justifications for the war have taken on a religious tone, framing the conflict as a crusade to defend Christian civilization. This narrative has been reinforced by Moscow’s Patriarch Kirill, who reportedly promised Russian soldiers that dying in battle against Ukraine would guarantee them immediate entry into paradise with all sins forgiven.
The conflict between the Orthodox churches in Russia and Ukraine dates back to 2019 when Ukraine’s Orthodox Church gained independence from the Russian Orthodox Church, a move that was met with resistance and anger from Moscow. Patriarch Kirill and Putin refused to acknowledge the authority of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey), leading to further tensions within the Orthodox community.
Yevstratiy also revealed a more sinister aspect of Putin’s motivations, suggesting that the Russian president’s ultimate goal goes beyond reunifying the Soviet Union or defending Christian civilization. Putin allegedly aims to establish Moscow as the third and final Rome, denouncing other branches of Christianity, including Catholics and Protestants, as heretics and pagans.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has deep spiritual roots, tracing back to the early days of Christianity and the apostolic missions that spread the faith throughout the world. As the oldest churches of Christianity, the Orthodox churches have a rich history and complex interconnections that inform the current conflict.
During their visit to Washington D.C., Yevstratiy and Epiphany attended the National Prayer Breakfast and heard President Trump express his desire to be a peacemaker in the region. They welcomed Trump’s commitment to peace and prayed for God’s blessings on both Ukraine and America.
The full interview with Yevstratiy is available on Lauren Green’s Lighthouse Faith podcast, where the spiritual dimension of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is explored in greater detail. The OCU’s visit to the U.S. shed light on the religious underpinnings of the war and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
