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).
Read also
From sanctuary to storage: how seized UOC churches are being repurposed
In Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, members of the OCU are reportedly using the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands – seized from the UOC – as a storage site for clothing.
Why can a thief who stole from AFU walk out of SIZO, while Vladyka Arseniy cannot?
A man who stole food from soldiers in wartime is allowed the privilege of freedom, while a hierarch who fed hundreds of destitute refugees in the Lavra is denied even the possibility.
“There are no people persecuted for their religious beliefs in the USSR”
One of the most disgraceful phenomena in the life of Ukraine’s present-day religious community is its complicity in justifying the crackdown on the UOC.
Why people heroize those who beat TRC
Why does the head of the UGCC publicly call for war until victory, while quietly hiding draft-dodging workers in temples? Why do OCU bloggers delete posts supporting the TRC due to massive hate?
On the long-awaited statements by Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk has declared that he is ready to become president. The only question is – whom does he now see as his voters?
Two weeks of OCU’s “brotherhood” talk to UOC: Any fruits yet?
So this is what the OCU’s “dialogue” looks like. One hand signs “appeals” about brotherhood – the other blesses people with angle grinders.