A senior American Orthodox archbishop has come under intense criticism after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska—a move Christian leaders say undermines the Gospel’s call to justice and compassion, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Archbishop Alexei, head of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of Alaska, exchanged gifts and warm words with Putin at Fort Richardson National Cemetery following the Russian leader’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The meeting included the sharing of holy icons and a discussion of shared Orthodox heritage. “Russia has given us what’s most precious of all, which is the Orthodox faith,” Archbishop Alexei said.

He added that he visits Russia regularly and that his priests and seminarians often return saying, “I’ve been home.” According to the Associated Press, Putin told him: “Please feel at home whenever you come.”

The encounter has sparked outrage among Orthodox and Christian leaders, particularly those with ties to Ukraine. In a strongly worded statement, Ukrainian Orthodox bishops in the U.S. called the meeting “a betrayal of the Gospel of Christ.”

Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel said: “To extend warm words of welcome and admiration to this ‘leader’ is nothing less than an endorsement of his actions.”

Putin is currently under indictment by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. “The Russian regime is responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands… for the tearing of families apart,” the bishops’ statement said. “We preach forgiveness, but we can never excuse or whitewash evil.”

The controversy raises difficult questions for Christians about how to balance the call to forgiveness with the prophetic duty to speak out against injustice, war crimes, and human rights abuses.