Can a Christian hate Putin?
Hatred is always easier. When man drowns himself in hatred, they often even derive a perverse satisfaction from it. But this has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity.
Recently, Poroshenko’s “5th Channel” staged a provocation outside the courthouse where the ban on the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC was being considered. Since the hearing was postponed, one of their journalists decided to “take it out” on a UOC cleric during an interview.
She asked him whether he calls Putin a war criminal, and whether, during the missile strikes, he thinks of him as a “p*ssant.”
The priest calmly replied that such matters are not spiritual questions. He said that only a court can declare someone a criminal, and as for obscene curses directed at Putin – he does not waste his life or his purpose on such things, since neither his mission nor his meaning in life has anything to do with insults or condemnation.
The reaction? In the comments under the “5th Channel” segment there was a flood of abuse – but this was to be expected. For society, his words were a “disgrace,” because a true patriot, they say, must hate Putin (as the enemy) with all his heart and soul. Yet for a follower of Christ, who commanded us to love our enemies, this is not betrayal – it is the most normal and natural position.
But not everyone who calls himself Christ’s disciple sees it that way.
The video was re-posted by the notorious OCU raider Roman Hryshchuk, who slandered the UOC priest with grotesque lies, accusing him of “hating OCU members”: “He hates Ukrainian priests with all his heart, but to hate Putin is a sin. He will condemn you and refuse you Communion because you pray the ‘Our Father’ in Ukrainian. But Putin – he will not condemn, because ‘judging is a sin.’”
There is no point even explaining that all this is shameless falsehood and slander. Hryshchuk does not even know the priest in question and cannot possibly know whom he admits or does not admit to Communion – still less whom he condemns or hates. The problem is elsewhere. Both “5th Channel” and Hryshchuk are trying to push through a crude manipulation: if the UOC refuses to hate and curse Putin, then it must mean they support him. But this is a lie. The UOC is not for Putin – the UOC is for Christ.
And Christ left us absolutely clear instructions on how we are to treat judgment and hatred:
• “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matt. 7:1–2).
• “…And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:43–44).
Yes – to hate is always easier. When a man intoxicates himself with hatred, he may even savor it. But this has nothing in common with the Gospel of Christ. If you are His disciple, you must forgive, not condemn; bless, not curse. And if you cannot yet bring yourself to love your enemy – then at least do not hate him.
All the more so if you wear the priestly robe.
