“Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has pledged the "unwavering" support of the Orthodox Church to Russian President Vladimir following a rebellion by the Wagner Group mercenary leader that the Kremlin hired to help fight Russia's war against Ukraine.”
“Despite the absence of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, whom the pope was planning to meet, Francis is expected to deliver a message of peace in the strategically located country”
“Not everyone in Moscow is pleased that Patriarch Kirill, Russian Orthodox head, decided to cancel his trip to Kazakhstan this week for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Some Russians are especially upset that, by not attending the gathering, Kirill”
“But that is exactly what happened on Tue. when Patriarch Kirill removed Hilarion (55) as chairman of the Dept. of External Relations (since 2009). It is believed that Hilarion's demotion was due to his disagreement over the way the patriarch has positioned the Russian Orthodox Ch.”
“Corriere della Sera."Brother, we are not clerics of the state, we cannot use the language of politics, but (must use) the language of Jesus," Francis chided him."The patriarch can not turn into an altar boy for Putin," he then told the journalist interviewing him.”
“Pope Francis has challenged Patriarch Kirill over his support of the war in Ukraine warning that the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church “cannot become Putin’s altar boy”. ”
“The Reuters news agency revealed this week that officials of both Churches are currently exploring the possibility of holding a meeting between Francis and Kirill in Jerusalem, following the papal visit to Lebanon. The pope will be in the "Land of Cedars" from June 12-13,”
“More than 400 priests who are part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) have signed an online petition calling on an international ecclesiastical tribunal to sanction their chief spiritual leader Patriarch Kirill.”
“Just as we demand that Muslims condemn Islamic fundamentalism for killing in the name of their faith, we Christians need to understand what might give the Russia-Ukraine conflict the appearance of a Christian "war of religion".”
“He knew Kirill many years before his election as patriarch in 2009. "At that time, he was not the 'little Putin of the Church' that he has now become: authoritarian, sometimes angry, and above all very lonely," Chapnin said.”
“It is unfortunate that he has found an ally in the person of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. Although the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is not part of the government, he always gravitates towards this closed circle.”
“In any case, the patriarch has yet to criticize the assault on Ukraine that has become a war on civilians. For the patriarch, a tank parade is preferable to a gay parade.”
“On February 23, the day before the invasion, Kirill issued a statement from his residence at the Danilov Monastery, congratulating Putin on the celebration of the "Defender of the Fatherland" holiday.”
“"May the Lord preserve the Russian land... A land which now includes Russia and Ukraine and Belarus and other tribes and peoples." A Sunday sermon with very political overtones. It was delivered Feb 27 at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow by Patriarch Kirill, Russian Orthodox head.”
“Patriarch Kirill of Moscow said he expressed "deep and sincere pain". The head of the Russian Orthodox Church on Thursday urged "all parties of the conflict" to do "everything possible to avoid civilian casualties". But he did not explicitly call for an end to the fighting.”
“he will soon be meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. It will be only the 2nd time since the creation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the 15th century that the highest religious authorities of Roman Catholicism and Russian Orthodoxy will meet. The 1st occasion was the historic 2016 meeting”
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Patriarch pledges "unwavering" support to Putin following Wagner mutiny
The pope goes to Kazakhstan, a strategic periphery
A minority in Russia pushing for peace in Ukraine and dialogue with the pope
Patriarch Kirill sacks his deputy, creates Crimean metropolis
Putin’s altar boy
Kirill must not be 'Putin's altar boy' says Pope Francis
Behind the pope's September visit to Kazakhstan
Over 400 Orthodox priests in Ukraine sign appeal against Patriarch Kirill
The Gospel as a casualty of war
Patriarch Kirill: the Kremlin's waning trump card
Putin’s closed circle
So, what is to be done?
Kirill will end up breaking Orthodox unity
Kirill, the extremely political Russian Orthodox patriarch
Russian patriarch appeals to "avoid civilian casualties" in Ukraine
Francis and Kirill: a summit on the horizon
