Russian threat to Ukraine exposes fault lines in Eastern Orthodoxy


Eastern Orthodox Church leaders are weighing in on tensions between Russia and Ukraine as the two majority-Orthodox countries, divided by geopolitical and religious disputes, prepare for war.
Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued a plea Sunday for the "preservation of peace in Ukraine," Vatican News reported.
Bartholomew, the archbishop of Constantinople, does not have the same power over Orthodox Christians that Pope Francis has over Roman Catholics, but is instead considered first among equals.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After the Soviet Union fell, Ukrainian Orthodoxy split between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), which remained under the authority of the patriarch of Moscow, and factions that, with Bartholomew's support, sought total independence, creating the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The Russian Orthodox Church responded by severing communion with Constantinople. The schism has not yet been resolved.
According to data from 2018, over 67 percent of Ukrainians identify as Orthodox. Of those, 19 percent belonged to the Russian-aligned church, while 44 percent belonged to the bodies that later merged into the OCU. An additional 38 percent identified as "just Orthodox" or said they weren't sure to which faction they belonged.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Epiphanius, who heads the OCU, took the anti-Russian sentiment even further.
"We have all heard and know about the challenges facing Ukraine in the face of the threat from Russia," he said Sunday. "This threat should not be underestimated, and therefore we, as a nation, must be ready to repel the enemy, if he still dares, violating the laws of God and man, to increase [his] crimes" by engaging in "open war."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The OCU also published a prayer guide that includes prayers for "when the fatherland is in danger" and for "liberation from the invasion of foreigners."
The latter asks God to remind would-be invaders of "Your commandment: Blessed are the peacemakers" and, if they continue in their aggression, to send "angels of fury, who will instill in them fear and the memory of what they call themselves — Christians."
The UOC-MP's website makes no mention of the Russian threat to Ukraine.
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Can US tourism survive Trump's policies?
Today's Big Question The tourist economy is 'heading in the wrong direction'
-
September's books tell of friendship in middle age, teachers versus fascists, and Covid psychosis
the week recommends September books include Angela Flournoy's 'The Wilderness,' Randi Weingarten's 'Why Fascists Fear Teachers' and Patricia Lockwood's 'Will There Ever Be Another You'
-
'Total rat eradication in New York has been deemed impossible'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?
Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20
Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine