By Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne PANAGIOTIS KAPODISTRIAS
Three years after the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the voice of truth and justice continues to resonate powerfully from Phanar, the heart of Orthodoxy. In his address to the Ukrainian diplomatic corps and the local Ukrainian community in Constantinople (February 23, 2025), Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew fearlessly expressed the stance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: the subjugation of a people cannot be tolerated, freedom is non-negotiable, and truth cannot be overshadowed by lies and propaganda.
His All-Holiness’ speech was both a moral and theological reflection on a profound and agonizing injustice. He once again unequivocally condemned Russia’s violent aggression and highlighted the immeasurable humanitarian catastrophe it has caused: countless lost lives, shattered families, destroyed cities, and millions displaced.
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From the very beginning, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has stood by the Ukrainian people, not only from a theological standpoint but also as a guardian of truth. His All-Holiness emphasized that the Great Church of Christ cannot remain silent while justice is being trampled upon. Ukraine’s freedom and sovereignty are not subjects for negotiation; they are inviolable principles of international law and moral order.
This stance is particularly significant given the context in which it is expressed: the Russian Orthodox Church has openly aligned itself with the war, with Patriarch Kirill providing theological justification for an aggressive political agenda. The Ecumenical Patriarch, on the other hand, embodies a different model of ecclesiastical leadership—one based on truth, peace, and solidarity.
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One of the most striking moments of His All-Holiness' speech was his connection of the war in Ukraine with the Sunday of the Last Judgment, the very day on which the address was delivered. In doing so, he stressed that the world is not merely called to take a political stance on this conflict, but rather a moral and spiritual one.
"The invasion of Ukraine," he stated, "is not just a war between states. It is a moral test for Europe and for all of humanity." In this test, the choices are clear: truth or falsehood, justice or oppression. The decisions made today will determine whether history will be written with moral integrity or whether violence and cynicism will prevail.
This message is a direct response to those advocating for an "easy peace", one that would entail concessions at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The Ecumenical Patriarch reminds us that peace cannot be imposed through violence, nor can it be built on injustice. Instead, it must be founded on truth, respect for international law, and the recognition of the right of nations to self-determination.
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Perhaps the most hopeful aspect of His All-Holiness’ address was his reference to the Resurrection. He likened Ukraine’s suffering to the very path of Christ: just as the Crucifixion preceded the Resurrection, so too will Ukraine rise again from its tribulations. This is not merely a wish but a profound faith in the resilience and strength of a people fighting for their right to exist.
This statement carries particular weight when one considers Ukraine’s historical traumas: from the Holodomor, the mass starvation inflicted by Stalin, to today’s attempts to erase its national identity. Yet, as His All-Holiness emphasized, no nation has the right to impose its will upon another, and no force can erase the history and soul of a people.
The Ecumenical Patriarch did not merely call for peace. He urged the international community not to turn a blind eye to the horrors of war and not to fall victim to propaganda and false narratives. He stressed that the future must be built upon the principles of international law, self-determination, and mutual respect, not coercion and force.
Through this stance, the Ecumenical Patriarchate once again assumes its role as the moral conscience of Orthodoxy and the global community. It continues to act not just as a religious institution, but as a worldwide voice defending the fundamental values of peace, justice, and human dignity.
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His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s speech was a historic intervention, one that clearly delineates the moral chasm between freedom and oppression, truth and falsehood.
In an era where cynicism and political expediency often prevail, His All-Holiness reminds us that morality and justice are not negotiable concepts.
Ukraine will prevail—not only because it fights on the battlefield, but because it stands on the side of truth, history, and the unwavering belief that freedom is never given—it is won.
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