Thread by @Favillez

1) Some pretty ferocious words by Metropolitan Epiphanius, from the autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church over the past 10 days.
I'd call attention specially to his sermon on the Feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist, with some sharp criticism of Kirill, of Moscow.

2) He compares the choice that John had with the one Ukraine was presented with by Russia.
"Both enemies and friends believed that Ukraine would be able to withstand this onslaught for only a few days, at best – a few weeks. Before us then, in February, at the beginning of March

3) we faced a choice similar to that of John the Baptist: personal safety or truth? Cease resistance in order to save your life at the cost of slavery to the evil empire, or fight, knowing which way is the price of freedom?
We, as a people, chose truth and freedom"

4) Kirill, he claims, is an example of what would have happened to John the Baptist, had he chosen power over truth.
"Look at Cyril of Moscow and you will see what the Forerunner would have turned into if he had remained silent about the ruler's crimes or even approved of them

5) And how many times over these years and decades have we been offered to come to terms with the untruth of Moscow's rule over the Ukrainian soul. If we agreed to serve the "Russian measure", as Cyril serves and all those who continue to consider him their patriarch,

6) then we were promised both church unity and support from the powers of this world, as the Moscow Patriarchate had and even now continues to have.
But we choose the truth. We do not want, neither for ourselves nor for our people, the price of peace to be the restoration of

7) Kremlin slavery. The Lord blessed our people with independence and statehood, blessed us to have our Local Orthodox Church. So would it be wise, correct and worthy to renounce all this for the sake of the Cain's embrace of Moscow?"

8) A word is reserved near the end for Ukraine's spectacular counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region.
"Today, together with all our people, we rejoice at the success of our soldiers who are liberating Ukrainian cities and villages from occupation."

9) Met. Epiphanius was in Greece for a few days, where he concelebrated with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whom he thanked for his support. In a joint liturgy he compared the Russian Orthodox Church to the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son

10) He mentions the attacks Bartholomew has suffered for supporting Ukraine: "For your courage and determination, you have to suffer many unjust attacks from those who loved the pride of this world more than the humility of Christ.

11) Like the proud brother from the parable, they themselves are ready to stay outside the parental home, if only not to be together with their brother, who is condemned instead of rejoicing in the restoration of unity"

12) Still referring to Moscow: "They rely on power, wealth, and other things of this world (...) However, we prayed for them together today and asked the Lord for mercy for them, so that they would leave their stubbornness and return to unity in love and truth."

13) All on the blog, to be read in full. I also included the speech by the representative of the UOC at the World Council of Churches, in early September.
actualidadereligiosa.blogspot.com/2022/02/war-in…

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