By Lambros Karpodinis
In the latest Orthodox Observer, we read the following: ”The Ecumenical Patriarch lamented once again that the Russian government is waging an unjust war against its “Orthodox neighbor” Ukraine, with the full approval of the Moscow Patriarchate, which has even blessed the conflict as a “holy war.” His All-Holiness has warned on numerous occasions that the concept of a “holy war” is incoherent, and that there can never be such a war.”
There is no doubt that no war is holy. The conflict in Ukraine has been an embarrassment for Orthodoxy, not only because two majority-Orthodox nations are sending their young people to kill one another, but also because sharply different narratives exist about whether the war is justified. This dissonance has, in some ways, been absorbed into today’s culture wars, with one side presenting itself as a defender against “wokeness” and as a champion against Pride parades. Many in America are drawn to that rhetoric, which has led mostly young men to join the Russian Orthodox Church for its perceived “conservative” values.
The patriarchate has been caught up in this maelstrom, being blamed by some for granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian church, thereby giving an excuse to Putin to invade Ukraine.
Orthodox churches have been divided along ethnic lines. We see it here in America. Every European Orthodox nation has its own bishop, overlapping other Ethnic Orthodox churches. That’s uncanonical.
This situation dates back to the fall of the Byzantine Empire. When the Church of Constantinople was part of a thriving empire—the heir to Rome—it had surpassed even the Latin Bishop of Rome in power and prestige.
The incursions of Muslim conquerors, along with the weakening and eventual dissolution of the Byzantine Empire, also called the primacy of the Church of Constantinople into question. This was especially true for Russia, which was rising in influence and included the largest body of Orthodox believers among the ethnic Orthodox churches.
A few years after the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Moscow declared independence from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, citing the perceived influence of the Sultan, with whom Russia was in almost constant conflict. The Ottomans were not inherently anti-Christian; they respected Christianity unless their spiritual leaders called for a “holy war.” In times of peace, the patriarch kept his flock obedient to the empire, while the Sultan focused mainly on collecting taxes.
Russia’s break with the Patriarchate of Constantinople signaled a trend that continued with Greece’s independence from Turkey, followed by the rest of the Orthodox nations formed in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Every Orthodox nation that wants to consider itself truly independent feels obligated to have its own independent church. Ukraine, wanting to break free from Russia, asked Patriarch Bartholomeau to canonically recognize an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, thereby breaking communion with the Moscow Patriarchate. Of course, that didn’t sit well with Putin, who used the church break, plus rumors of violence against Russian Orthodox followers, as an additional pretext to invade Ukraine.
The invasion has taken a terrible toll on life, with over a million people killed and about as many injured. As we see at the beginning of this essay, the Moscow patriarchate is claiming that Putin is fighting a “holy war”, against the Godless West, thereby attempting to take the high ground in people’s conscience
And we agree that no war is holy.
However, the patriarchate permitted Saint Nicholas shrine to hold a fundraiser, honoring Zelenskyy—who is Jewish. Holding an event organized by a Greek Orthodox church under the patriarchate is a de facto recognition of the honoree as the “good guys.” Whether he is or not, war is a bloody affair. Both sides commit atrocities against civilians.
A church has no business taking sides and honoring one combatant. Let politicians do that.
The invitation said Zelensky is a “most worthy recipient who illuminated the path forward in times of great challenge,” leading his country’s defense in its war with Russia.””
The fundraiser alone is a veiled attempt at profiting from the killing of millions. According to the invitation, $ 1,500 for the “basic economy, or a quarter of a million for first-class seating, plus lots of extras enjoyed by the big donors, who obviously will look down at the “poor nobodies” who could afford only $1500 for a plate of food, which fundraiser will go towards St Nicholas Shrine.
None of the proceeds appear intended for the widows or orphans of either nation. Saint Nicholas Shrine has been used as a vehicle for theft, enrichment, and deception of the faithful, including those who contributed to its construction. We remember the reported $80 million cost overrun and the disappearance of much of that money into various pockets. The organizers have not been transparent about where the proceeds will be deposited, how the funds will be distributed, or who will benefit. Given that history, I would not trust them with $5, let alone such large sums.
They now appear to be selling friendship with Saint Nicholas for $25,000, suggesting that anyone who does not contribute is not truly his friend. If the patriarch wants to be regarded as the leader of all Orthodox Christians, including Russians, he must condemn all violence and war, even when he believes one side is right and the other is wrong. Let the United Nations determine responsibility. Christ did not recognize enemies, only brotherhood. The Church, as the body of Christ, should uphold that ideal.
