Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA) calls on President Putin to end military operations

Washington, D.C., February 24, 2022

oca.org oca.org     

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America has joined other Orthodox primates and hierarchs in calling for peace in Ukraine.

His statement reads in full:

Dearly beloved children in the Lord,

In light of the distressing developments in Ukraine affecting millions of innocent people in the region, I wholeheartedly urge you to pray for peace and the well-being of our brothers and sisters who are enduring this tragic moment.

I ask that the hostilities be ceased immediately and that President Putin put an end to the military operations. As Orthodox Christians, we condemn violence and aggression.

I offer my support and prayers to my brother and concelebrant, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, who has the most difficult task of leading his beloved flock in this time of pain and anxiety. I also assure my prayers to the other religious leaders serving in Ukraine who have the delicate task of leading their communities in these difficult times.

To our beloved Ukrainian brothers and sisters, as well to all of you who are certainly troubled and concerned about these recent developments, I offer the words that the Lord Himself offers to us through His Psalmist: “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace (Ps 29:11).”

May we fervently offer our petition to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to have mercy on us “for the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all.”

Statements were also issued today by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania, and the hierarchs of the Finnish Orthodox Church.

Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!

2/24/2022

See also
Patriarch Kirill calls for prayer and to avoid civilian casualties Patriarch Kirill calls for prayer and to avoid civilian casualties Patriarch Kirill calls for prayer and to avoid civilian casualties Patriarch Kirill calls for prayer and to avoid civilian casualties
The Russian and Ukrainian peoples have a common centuries-old history dating back to the Baptism of Rus’ by Prince St. Vladimir the Equal-to-the-Apostles. I believe that this God-given affinity will help overcome the divisions and disagreements that have arisen that have led to the current conflict. Metropolitan Onuphry appeals for penitential prayer and an end to the “fratricidal war” Metropolitan Onuphry appeals for penitential prayer and an end to the “fratricidal war” Metropolitan Onuphry appeals for penitential prayer and an end to the “fratricidal war” Metropolitan Onuphry appeals for penitential prayer and an end to the “fratricidal war”
Defending the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, we appeal to the President of Russia and ask him to immediately stop the fratricidal war. The Ukrainian and Russian peoples came out of the Dnieper Baptismal font, and the war between these peoples is a repetition of the sin of Cain, who killed his own brother out of envy. Such a war has no justification either from God or from people. Georgian and Romanian Patriarchs, ROCOR, and Finnish hierarchs call for peace in Ukraine Georgian and Romanian Patriarchs, ROCOR, and Finnish hierarchs call for peace in Ukraine Georgian and Romanian Patriarchs, ROCOR, and Finnish hierarchs call for peace in Ukraine Georgian and Romanian Patriarchs, ROCOR, and Finnish hierarchs call for peace in Ukraine
We entreat the Holy Trinity to grant peace to the population of Ukraine and the whole world.
Comments
Ephraim5/4/2022 12:13 am
This comment hasn't aged well: "People who are brainwashed by the mainstream media and unable to discern truth from fiction believe that Russia is fighting Ukraine’s orthodox population"
Truth3/24/2022 1:42 pm
People who are brainwashed by the mainstream media and unable to discern truth from fiction believe that Russia is fighting Ukraine’s orthodox population. It reality anyone who takes more than five minutes to do their own research and search alternative news outlets (not USA propaganda) will learn that Russia is fighting pure evil neo-Nazis and the satanic globalists. God bless President Putin and God give courage, wisdom and strength to the bishops to speak the truth instead of being Biden puppets!
Panagiotis2/26/2022 4:29 am
God bless Metropolitan Tikhon and the Orthodox Church of America. How sad and tragic that Orthodox Brothers are fighting and killing each other. The enemies of the Orthodox People have a smile on their faces. Let us pray to our Almighty God for Peace, Wisdom, and Orthodox Unity among ALL the Orthodox People, Orthodox Churches, and Orthodox Nations. Let us fear Almighty God. Just my opinion.
Mark2/25/2022 8:28 pm
If you think fighting puppet regimes who serve the new world order cabal, destroying underground bio labs, killing Nazis and child sexual traffickers is “not right” then I feel sorry for your friends, neighbors and family members!
Kolya2/25/2022 6:23 pm
Steve: Surrender? Switched sides? Met. Onufriy is a Ukrainian. He speaks Ukrainian. Why would he call on Ukraine to surrender? Putin is doing something that is at odds with the Church in this invasion. Russia is not on the "right side" here.
Steve2/25/2022 11:54 am
Now I see that Metropolitan Tikhon was only repeating the plea of Metropolitan Onuphrey, asking Putin to end the war. I am puzzled, though, as to why Metropolitan Onuphrey wouldn't call on President Zelensky to surrender to Russia. Has Metropolitan Onuphrey switched sides?
Steve2/25/2022 2:50 am
Why doesn't Metropolitan Tikhon ask President Zelensky to cease all his military operations? I mean, really, whose side is Metropolitan Tikhon on anyways? Isn't Ukraine supposed to surrender to Russia?
John2/25/2022 1:24 am
I’m pretty disgusted and sad reading this, because this man is completely silent when his presidents actively support terrorists in Ukraine and THROUGHOUT the world, yet he jumps to condemn Putin? What does this say about his judgment? More importantly, what does this say about his allegiance? Country or the Church??
Leonid 2/25/2022 1:01 am
Since he is the metropolitan of America, maybe he should tell his president to release the J6 protesters, stop persecuting political opponents, reject abortion and human sexual trafficking, stop being corrupt and convert to Christ! Maybe he should correct his own corrupt and evil leaders before the try’s to correct the President of Russia!
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×