<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted a critical examination of the church’s role as a social institution during times of war. During such circumstances, national and global religious leaders are typically expected to spearhead peacebuilding initiatives focused on saving civilians, protecting critical infrastructure, and mitigating the potential for widespread destruction and humanitarian crises. In this case, however, the Kremlin has actively used the Russian Orthodox Church as well as an array of religious figures to justify Russian aggression and legitimize actions that amount to genocide against the Ukrainian people. In contrast, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has assumed the role of a moral guide during the war by condemning, with remarkably unity, Russian war crimes and the destructive ideology of Russkiy mir (the Russian world), and instead advocating for a humane approach and proposing peacebuilding initiatives. This paper details the scope and character of the Council’s activities carried out in wartime, providing numerous illustrative examples.</p>
</abstract>

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted a critical examination of the church’s role as a social institution during times of war. During such circumstances, national and global religious leaders are typically expected to spearhead peacebuilding initiatives focused on saving civilians, protecting critical infrastructure, and mitigating the potential for widespread destruction and humanitarian crises. In this case, however, the Kremlin has actively used the Russian Orthodox Church as well as an array of religious figures to justify Russian aggression and legitimize actions that amount to genocide against the Ukrainian people. In contrast, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has assumed the role of a moral guide during the war by condemning, with remarkably unity, Russian war crimes and the destructive ideology of Russkiy mir (the Russian world), and instead advocating for a humane approach and proposing peacebuilding initiatives. This paper details the scope and character of the Council’s activities carried out in wartime, providing numerous illustrative examples.

Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations as a Voice for Justice and Humanity during the Russian Invasion

Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has prompted a critical examination of the church’s role as a social institution during times of war. During...

Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations as a Voice for Justice and Humanity during the Russian Invasion

Published Online: Apr 08, 2024

Page range: 429 - 458

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ress-2023-0028

Keywords
Ukraine, Interfaith Dialogue, Interfaith Cooperation, Peacebuilding, Russian Aggression, Russian-Ukrainian War, International Relations

© 2023 Maksym Vasin, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations as a Voice for Justice and Humanity during the Russian Invasion

Published Online: Apr 08, 2024

Page range: 429 - 458

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ress-2023-0028

KeywordsUkraine, Interfaith Dialogue, Interfaith Cooperation, Peacebuilding, Russian Aggression, Russian-Ukrainian War, International Relations

© 2023 Maksym Vasin, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Ukraine, Interfaith Dialogue, Interfaith Cooperation, Peacebuilding, Russian Aggression, Russian-Ukrainian War, International Relations