Can fascism be Orthodox?
After the shelling of Okhmatdyt. Photo: Strana
Following the shelling of the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv, an article appeared on the Russian website 'Tsargrad' not only justifying this crime but also calling for the continued extermination of the Ukrainian people, including children. Here are some quotes:
"The children's hospital in Kyiv is no accident. It’s time to acknowledge this and stop being afraid."
"Those who feel sorry for enemy children today do not feel sorry for their own."
"... there are no people on that side. Not a single person. Our missiles do not kill people. Not a single person. There are no people there."
"Maybe it’s time for us to agree that there is no civilian population on the other side of the Dnipro? And turn their cities into 'Gaza' – with the simple and clear goal of saving our children from death."
How should one respond to this?
First, we should understand that this is true fascism in its purest form, exactly like in Nazi Germany. And the consequences will be the same if it is allowed to burgeon.
Second, this fascism will inevitably grow in Russia if we label all Russians as fascists. If we repeatedly call those who reject this ideology fascists, they will eventually become what they are labeled.
Third, this has nothing to do with Orthodoxy or Christianity in general. The fact that it is published on a site positioning itself as "Orthodox" means nothing. It’s like the medieval fires of the Inquisition burning "Im majorem gloriam Dei" (for the greater glory of God). Is Christ to blame for the atrocities committed in His name? Is Orthodoxy to blame when calls to murder children are made under its banner?
The worst thing we can do when reading such calls for the extermination of Ukrainians is to become the same kind of fascists, only from the other side. To declare that there are no people in the Russian Federation and that killing Russian children is justified by saving Ukrainian ones.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21).
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