For American Orthodox Christians, it is not enough to pray for peace, and to be sad about the war.
It is not enough to pick a Ukrainian and a Russian to carry the Cross together on Good Friday -- which, by the way, hasn't happened yet in the Orthodox calendar. The Pope should know better: reconciliation comes only after the repentance of the abuser. Any rapprochement before real contrition is premature. And any staged attempt to bring abuser and victim together in a symbolic act is actually a contradiction of the symbol (in this case, the Holy Cross), and a continuation of abuse.
Every post-abuse therapist and social worker knows this. The Pope should have asked.
It is not enough to pray for peace.
What is morally required (I'm using polite language) is a denunciation of Patriarch Kirill, and whatever staff that supports this war.
What is required is the return of every and all donated money that came from Kirill. If he donated funds to build a building, sell the building and give the proceeds to the poor -- like suffering Ukrainians.
It really doesn't matter that the funds might have been received before the invasion. Even if it is a quarter-million dollars. Especially if it is a quarter-million dollars. The larger the donation, the heavier the weight of the iron crown.
What is required is the complete severance of ecclesial ties to this heresiarch.
It is not enough to just pray for peace.
Anyone can do that: lip service is easy.
One must actually build for peace.
Anything short of that is just make-believe.
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