Patriarch urges peace for Ukraine in Orthodox Easter address
The hearts of the followers of the Orthodox Church are aching for the suffering of the people in crisis-hit Ukraine, Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, said in his Easter address.
“As we celebrate Easter this year, we pray for the people of
Ukraine,” the Patriarch stressed during his speech.
Ukraine remains in a state of turmoil since its democratically
elected president was ousted via a coup powered by far-right
radicals in February.
“We pray for enemies to reconcile, for violence to stop. We
pray that people be merciful to one another no matter what
divides them and separates them from each other. All the children
of our common Church have Ukraine in their hearts, and our hearts
are aching for the suffering of the Ukrainian people,”
Russia’s top cleric said.
“That is why these days, together with millions of Orthodox
believers, I pray specifically for peace in Ukraine,” he
added.
In his address, Patriarch Kirill also reminded the believers that
Easter is a holy day, which “celebrates victory over man’s
two biggest enemies – sin and death.”
Jesus Christ was the only one who managed to defeat those enemies
and “uplifted humanity into divine glory. He abolished
everything that prevented us from being like Him,” he said.
“Christ is not only the Judge, but also the Advocate for
every sinner, who comes to Him through faith. The primary
requirement of the New Testament is that we love one another
despite our differences. Lack of love destroys people, divides
families, and undermines societies and countries,” the head
of the Russian Orthodox Church explained.
Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred three
days after his crucifixion at Calvary.
The most important festival of the Oriental Orthodox Church marks
the end of the Great Lent, which saw followers fasting for 40
days.
In 2014, Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate Easter on the
same day.
