Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, recently suggested that Jesus Christ did not oppose the death penalty.
Speaking at a meeting of Russian war veterans, Kirill cited scripture about removing “evil” people from society and argued there is no religious objection to capital punishment.
He pointed out that Jesus’ crucifixion was an unjust execution, but the apostles never called capital punishment sinful.
It’s unclear if Kirill’s remarks were intended to prepare the public for a possible return of the death penalty in Russia.
According to The Times, Kirill did not mention the commandment “Thou shalt not kill,” which anti-war protesters often use as a slogan. Some protesters have even been arrested for displaying it.
After a terrorist attack in Moscow that claimed more than 140 lives, calls for the return of the death penalty resurfaced in March.
However, President Vladimir Putin has argued against capital punishment, calling it “senseless and counterproductive.”
Some critics see Kirill’s comments as evidence of the Russian Orthodox Church’s deepening ties with military rhetoric. The church has drawn criticism for practices such as blessing nuclear weapons, which it has justified as symbols of protection for Russia and defenders of “Orthodox civilization.” Kirill has also stated that Russian soldiers who die in the war in Ukraine will have their sins forgiven.
