A Roundtable with Church Leaders in Ukraine
The Church of Ukraine is diverse, though more heavily populated by the Ukrainian Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic traditions. On Friday morning, March 4, the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv held a round table discussion between key representatives of these major traditions. Tom Boone, our Associate Director of Mission and staff point person for our European Initiatives, was honored to be invited to this dialogue.
The purpose of the round table was to present how their various traditions are responding to the war. Also, each provided insights into their traditions’ official positions regarding Moscow. It was inspiring to see these leaders take time to express their views openly even as they are enmeshed in this war. One of the leaders was delivering humanitarian relief to Kyiv and showed us the traffic crossing a bridge and activity at a checkpoint.
These leaders each expressed gratitude to the West for our assistance and prayers. They sense our solidarity with them even as we try to make the most impact possible. We learned that while clergy are not excluded from being mobilized to fight, Ukraine has not yet done so because church leaders are on the frontlines of providing relief to soldiers and civilians.
Each of these major traditions in Ukraine is uniting around not just the evil of this war but agree that this has come about in large part because the West has long ignored the deeper problem of values in post-World War II communist Russia. Rather than speak prophetically against Moscow, the West has sought financial and economic gain at the expense of values. For them, the war in Ukraine has become a symbol of all that is wrong with the global system as it relates to Russia, even China was mentioned. There was admission at this round table that national leaders interpret silence as tacit support. Thus, these leaders were clear to say that despite great personal risk, the church must speak truth and stand for what is good in God’s creation.
This led to questions about how the Western Church might exert pressure on the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kiril in Moscow. Also, some wondered if there are any Metropolitans in Russia who might express views contrary to Moscow. The Ukrainian Orthodox representative wisely acknowledged these are understandable but difficult questions. In that part of the world, it is not the domain of the Church to speak prophetically into the arena of politics and business. Their stability as churches has depended on delicately navigating the lines between the State and religion, a point which many in the West find difficult to understand. In answer to the question about exerting influence, they commend the Western Church to express itself respectfully and clearly to Patriarch Kiril that he may be encouraged to speak God’s word into this situation as only he can.
There were questions as well about the impact on the church in Ukraine should Russia be successful in its goals in the war. At this point, the discussion became quite humbling and exposed the risk these leaders face. They understand that should Putin be successful severe persecution will come. Leaders will be imprisoned or killed, and Protestant movements will be shut down. Those leaders in the Orthodox and Catholic churches that have expressed views contrary to Moscow will be in grave danger. Still, these leaders vowed to be courageous and remain in Ukraine. They do so not only to serve the people but for the sake of using their lives to be bold statements about the light of the gospel in a world darkened by sin.
What can we do?
Let us express our voices at the table of God’s people around which we sit. We must speak truth to power. Yet in doing so, let us not rush into judgment about the church in the East. In the West, the Church has the privilege and responsibility to speak prophetically to the State. The church in the East does not have this same relationship. So, as we engage the Eastern Church it is wise to listen first and engage with respect and humility those whom God has planted in their stations.
Let us pray with Christians in Eastern Europe. City Church in Lithuania is hosting a daily prayer service at 9:00 PM Eastern European Time with English translation available (2 PM Eastern US). This service has become a source of encouragement for them. The zoom link for the daily prayer vigil is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83421567984.
Paul wrote “Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Let us continue to advocate for the suffering whom our brothers and sisters in Christ are serving at great personal cost. The Outreach Foundation is working with churches in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, to help meet the enormous physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges they face. They are very thankful for the resources we have already sent. When we cannot be there in person, our resources become a source of strong encouragement. Please multiply their efforts to share the gospel by making a generous gift to “European Initiatives: Ukraine Appeal” at The Outreach Foundation. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.