Latest news with #OrthodoxChurchofUkraine
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin thanks Vatican for assistance in humanitarian matters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude for the Vatican's mediation in humanitarian issues related to the Ukraine war in a first phone call with Pope Leo XIV. Putin advocated for the deepening of relations with the Holy See, which he said were based on "shared spiritual and ethical values," the Kremlin said on Wednesday. The Vatican stated later that the conversation "particularly focused on the situation in Ukraine and peace." The pope called on Russia to make a gesture promoting peace and emphasized the importance of dialogue between the parties and the search for solutions to the conflict, according to the Holy See. They also discussed the humanitarian situation and the necessity of providing aid where needed. According to a Kremlin statement, Putin wished the new pope success and conveyed congratulations from the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. Leo XIV has clearly condemned the war as an act of aggression and called for its end. His predecessor, Francis, was often criticized for calling for peace without distinguishing between aggressor and victim. Putin complains about Ukraine's church policy Putin asked the leader of the Catholic Church to advocate for religious freedom in Ukraine. He sees this as being threatened by the ban on the former Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which was loyal to Moscow. The Ukrainian leadership, on the other hand, views this church as a security risk because many of its bishops and priests are closely connected to Moscow.
Euronews
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Why Vatican Mediation in the Ukraine Conflict Remains Unlikely
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said 'the prospect of peace talks being held at the Vatican is unrealistic' on Friday, according to Russian news agency TASS. Lavrov added that it would be 'inappropriate for Orthodox countries like Ukraine and Russia to resolve issues concerning the roots of the conflict in a Catholic forum.' One of those 'roots,' claims Lavrov, is what he described as the Ukrainian government's efforts to dismantle the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Lavrov referred to steps taken last summer by Ukraine to ban the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church, whilst promoting the newer Ukraine-linked Orthodox Church of Ukraine, as the country's national Orthodox Church. Moscow continues to recognize Patriarch Kirill of Moscow as the sole legitimate Orthodox religious authority for both Ukraine and Russia. The legitimacy of the Kyiv Patriarchate remains a contentious issue that divides not only Eastern Slavic Orthodoxy but the broader Orthodox Christian world. Religious identity lies at the heart of Vladimir Putin's "Russkiy Mir" (Russian World) ideology—a worldview that underpins his geopolitical ambitions. This adds a powerful religious dimension to the political and military conflict in Ukraine. Despite strong support for the Vatican's peace overtures from leaders such as US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there remains widespread skepticism—within both the Vatican and Western capitals—about Russia's genuine commitment to a ceasefire. Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, a Ukrainian Greek-Catholic prelate, expressed doubts about Moscow's intentions. 'Pope Leo XIV has no influence over Russia. They don't recognize our Church at all," he said. "On the contrary—they want to destroy it, just as they do in the occupied territories where Greek-Catholic churches are being demolished." Greek-Catholics, part of the Eastern Catholic Churches, observe the Byzantine rite and maintain communion with Rome. After World War II, Stalin's regime outlawed the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, transferring its properties to the Moscow Patriarchate—a move many historians have linked to the Church's close alignment with Soviet authorities. Pope Leo XIV had hoped to make Vatican-led mediation in global conflicts a defining mission of his pontificate. But now, his initial optimism may have to bow to the harsh realities of global politics—what his predecessor, Pope Francis, once called 'a world war fought in pieces.' Western governments welcomed what they saw as a renewed Vatican alignment with Ukrainian interests. In his inaugural mass, Pope Leo XIV declared that 'tormented Ukraine now awaits negotiations for a just and lasting peace.' Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga told Italian newspaper La Stampa that Vatican mediation under the pope remains possible: 'It is very difficult, yes, but everything is possible with Pope Leo—he enjoys the trust of global leaders.' However, he acknowledged that Russia remains wary of distancing itself from the Vatican. 'No nation, however powerful, can afford to act alone,' he said. Pasquale Ferrara, Director General for Political Affairs at Italy's Foreign Ministry and a professor at LUISS University in Rome, noted that Moscow's mistrust of Vatican mediation predated Pope Leo. 'This skepticism existed even under Pope Francis and is rooted in the long-standing coolness between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Churches,' Ferrara said. That tension has deep historical roots, stretching back to the Great Schism of 1054. Catholic-Orthodox rivalry has contributed to numerous conflicts and power struggles over the centuries. For many Orthodox Christians, the Pope is not recognized as a legitimate religious authority. While peace-making often appears political, religion has once again emerged as a major geopolitical factor. For the Kremlin, Pope Leo XIV's efforts may be seen as an extension of the Catholic Church's Western legacy. 'I don't think Putin sees the Vatican as having the necessary neutrality,' said Ferrara. 'But in diplomacy, what matters more than neutrality is fairness.' Ultimately, successful mediation depends less on the identity of the mediator and more on the parties' genuine willingness to seek peace. So far, Ferrara observed, 'Russia has not shown the kinds of signals that would indicate a real desire to negotiate.' The Vatican has long sought to play a role in resolving international conflicts. The Community of Sant'Egidio, a Catholic organization close to the Vatican's Secretariat of State, helped mediate the Algerian civil war in the 1990s. Earlier popes also tried—often unsuccessfully—to prevent global conflicts. Benedict XV denounced World War I as a 'useless slaughter,' while Pius XI urged resistance to Fascism, Nazism, and Bolshevism in the lead-up to World War II. At the Yalta Conference, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin famously dismissed the Pope's authority with the remark: 'How many divisions does the Pope have?' Decades later, Pope John Paul II played a key role in the fall of Eastern European communism—arguably answering Stalin's rhetorical question. Ferrara cautioned against underestimating the Vatican's potential: 'We should not be too skeptical about the constructive role religion can play in building a new international order.' As Bishop Lonchyna concluded: 'Even in the darkest hours, the Church must sow the seeds of peace. When the harvest will come—that depends on God, and on the will of men.'
Euronews
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Soldiers celebrate their fourth Easter on the frontlines in Ukraine
ADVERTISEMENT More than two billion Christians worldwide observed Easter on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. The holiday is considered the most important in the Christian liturgical calendar, constituting a central tenet of the faith. But observing the religious occasion in a peaceful and safe setting is not possible for soldiers on the frontlines in the war in Ukraine. A temporary ceasefire was announced on Saturday by Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow for a moment of respite and enable people to celebrate the holiday, which falls on the same day for Orthodox and Catholic Christians this year, for the first time since 2017. The peace was short-lived after the warring sides accused each other of breaking the truce and continuing to launch attacks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles in a post an X, while accusing the Kremlin of attempting to sell the idea of honouring its temporary truce to the world. 'As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine.' Despite Putin's declaration of an Easter ceasefire, Zelenskyy said Sunday morning that Ukrainian forces had recorded 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults by units along the front line, as well as dozens of drone strikes. Russia's Defence Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of overnight attacks in the Donetsk region despite the ceasefire. It said Ukraine had sent 48 drones into Russian territory. According to the ministry, there were 'dead and wounded among the civilian population,' without giving details. It claimed Russian troops had strictly observed the truce. Russia-installed officials in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson also said Ukrainian forces had launched attacks. But despite the hardships of war, multiple Easter services and masses were organised across several Ukrainian cities. The capital, Kyiv, celebrated its fourth Easter holiday under martial law conditions. Hundreds attended the services in person at the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The masses were also broadcast online for those unable to attend. Hundreds of worshippers gathered on Sunday for Easter services in the Church of St. John the Theologian, a long-standing spiritual and community centre in Kharkiv. The church has served as a source of strength throughout Ukraine's independence and has taken on new significance during the full-scale Russian invasion, transforming into a humanitarian hub. Father Viktor Marynchak, known since the 2004 Orange Revolution as the 'priest of Kharkiv's Maidans,' led the Easter liturgy alongside Bishop Mytrofan of Kharkiv. ADVERTISEMENT The service brought together a wide cross-section of Ukrainian society, including soldiers, volunteers, and long-time parishioners. Military chaplains were also present to bless traditional Easter bread. Russian soldiers also celebrated Easter on the frontlines. A video released by the Russian Defence Ministry showed Orthodox servicemen participating in traditional Easter practices, such as egg colouring. Soldiers were treated to warm meals and were given cake, as well as their own Easter service in one of the churches in the special military operation zone. ADVERTISEMENT Many hope this will be the last major holiday celebrated under war conditions, as efforts to bring the war to an end, championed by US President Donald Trump continue. Trump, in a post on his own social media platform – Truth Social, shared on Sunday that he's hopeful that a deal to end the fighting can be reached between Kyiv and Moscow this week.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry comments on Fox News' labelling Kyiv as "Russian city"
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has commented on the fact that American news channel Fox News called Kyiv a Russian city during its broadcast of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's Easter service. Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Fox News was broadcasting Easter services from various parts of the world, including Kyiv. Initially, the broadcast correctly labelled the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's service at St Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral as taking place in "Kyiv, Ukraine". However, the caption later changed to "Kyiv, Russia" and remained on screen for an extended period. "If this was a mistake rather than a deliberate political statement, there should be an apology and an investigation into who made the mistake," Tykhyi wrote. Background: This incident comes shortly after Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that the US is allegedly willing to recognise Russian control over Ukraine's Crimean peninsula as part of a broader peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fox News calls Kyiv a "Russian city" during Easter service broadcast
American news channel Fox News has called Kyiv a Russian city during its broadcast of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's Easter service. Source: Footage from the Fox News broadcast, as reported by European Pravda Details: The channel was broadcasting Easter celebrations from around the world, including a service held in Russia attended by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. As part of the same coverage, Fox News showed Easter celebrations from around the world, including in Kyiv. Initially, the broadcast correctly labelled the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's service at St Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral as taking place in "Kyiv, Ukraine". However, the caption later changed to "Kyiv, Russia" and remained on screen for an extended period. Background: This incident comes shortly after Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that the US is allegedly willing to recognise Russian control over Ukraine's Crimean peninsula as part of a broader peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
