The Primate of Ukraine’s independent Orthodox Church has urged Christians to speak out against Russian missile attacks on civilian targets across the country.
The call comes after President Putin insisted in his Christmas message that the attacks and war on Ukraine were a mission “commanded by the Lord."
Metropolitan Epiphany Dumenko spoke about the actions of Russia and its invading forces in an interview with the Church Times, saying that "new crimes against humanity were being committed by the Kremlin through acts of missile terror."
“We ask the world’s religious and moral leaders to raise their voices and expose Russian war crimes," he added, calling it a "deliberate destruction of homes and civilian life-support infrastructures" aimed at "plunging Ukraine into cold and darkness."
Despite calls for a temporary truce, a new wave of Russian air strikes following Christmas celebrations has killed at least a dozen people, with a large number of power outages in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and other cities.
Following that, the Metropolitan Epiphany voiced “deep gratitude and respect” for all the doctors and emergency workers who were doing all they could to help support the country.
He went on to add that the attacks should “cause disgust and condemnation not only among Christians, but among all people of goodwill."
In an address to diplomats last Friday, the Pope condemned attacks on homes, hospitals and energy supplies, saying it is a “serious violation of international humanitarian law."
Following up by saying that Russian air strikes were “taking a heavy toll on the civilian population . . . as the cold weather grows harsher."
Russia’s Putin addressed the issue on his website, claiming the “people in Russia have always treated their warriors as those who, acting at God’s command, carry out this holy mission."
He added: “I have no doubt that our joy is shared today by brothers and representatives of other religions — we all rejoice together in our common victories, knowing that victory is always one for all.”
