ROC priest: Those who scold Metropolitan Onuphry are ignorant people
Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church Oleg Steniaev said that Moscow should not dictate its will to the believers of the UOC, they have their own bishops.
Missionary, theologian and publicist of the Russian Orthodox Church Oleg Steniaev commented on the situation around the war in Ukraine in a video interview with the publishing house of the Sretensky Monastery.
The priest cited as an example the situation with St. Nicholas of Japan, who blessed his flock to defend Japan during the Russo-Japanese War.
“He said – serve in the Japanese army, pray for the Japanese emperor, fight the Russians, do your civic duty. But remember that you are Christians,” the priest reminded.
“When it comes to such conflicts, you cannot dictate from Kyiv to Moscow, and you cannot dictate from Moscow to Kyiv. Ukraine has its own bishops, and Ukrainians should receive instructions from them on how to take in what is happening from a religious point of view,” Father Oleg said.
“Here, a divergence of interests is inevitable. And I am very surprised when on a talk show they begin to scold Metropolitan Onuphry, these are some ignorant people. The Metropolitan of Kyiv must be with Kyiv. The Metropolitan of Ukraine – with the Ukrainian flock. He must think about them day and night, especially about those who were encircled, who were wounded,” the Archpriest added.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to the Primate of the UOC, his most ardent desire is to end the war.
