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.

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