Macedonian Primate on Russia–Ukraine war: We see suffering brothers
Archbishop Stefan. Photo: utrinskivesnik
In a Christmas interview with the newspaper Nova Makedonija, Archbishop Stefan, Primate of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, spoke about the tragedy of war between Orthodox peoples and urged Christians to see in their opponents suffering brothers.
“The pain inflicted by every war is immeasurable – all the more so when mutual misunderstanding forces Orthodox peoples to stand against one another,” Archbishop Stefan said, answering a question about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The primate emphasized that the call to peace on earth and goodwill among people is the foundation of the Christmas message and is deeply rooted in the Christian spirit. “All Christians are called to spread love, not pain – because a living faith in God should heal, not wound; save, not harm,” he noted.
Archbishop Stefan recalled a central Christian truth: “Every person without exception is an icon of God, and no historical or political disagreements can or should erase this truth.”
“Where the world sees enemies, the Christian is called to see suffering brothers – to build unity and do good, to bear witness to peace and to establish peace,” the head of the Macedonian Church stressed.
Quoting the angelic hymn of the Nativity – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men” – Archbishop Stefan urged the faithful to be peacemakers. “The only war we must wage is the war against our fallen nature – against our personal sins and passions,” he said. “Therefore, in these Christmas days we pray with particular fervor that lovelessness may retreat before love, and that peace may drive out discord.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Shevchuk criticized Trump’s “so-called peace plan.
Read also
UOC Social Department in Kyiv supports 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, the UOC Social Department handed over humanitarian aid packages to 100 families of forcibly displaced persons.
Serbian authorities okay creation of university jointly with Serbian Church
The Serbian government has approved a memorandum on cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Church for the establishment of the Saint Sava University.
DESS discusses mobilization of clergy with UCCRO
The head of DESS, Viktor Yelensky, informed representatives of religious organizations about new rules for reserving clergy from mobilization.
OCU holds synod in Lavra residence seized from Metropolitan Onufriy
The structure led by Epifaniy Dumenko used for its meeting premises where the Holy Synod of the UOC had previously convened.
Monastic tonsures performedI in Dnipro’s Tykhvin Convent
At the convent of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC, three nuns received the great schema, while another novice was tonsured into the rassophore.
OCU holds religious event at grave of late UOC primate in Kyiv Lavra
Dumenko and his associates staged a prayer event at the grave of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr.