ROC theologian comments on online calls for nuclear strikes on Ukraine
Sergey Khudiev emphasized that calls for the killing of people are contrary to the Gospel.
Russian Orthodox theologian Sergey Khudiev responded on his Telegram channel to recent calls by Russian bloggers to launch weapons of mass destruction against Ukraine, following acts of sabotage targeting bridges and railway lines in Russia.
“I read calls to exact terrible revenge, to level Kyiv with ‘a nutcracker,’ to finally use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and so on. In other words, these esteemed bloggers are wishing a gruesome death on countless people – most of whom have absolutely no influence over those who make decisions – wanting to destroy churches and monasteries, and quite possibly provoke a global nuclear war,” Khudiev wrote.
He emphasized that such calls to kill people are in direct contradiction to the Gospel. He reminded readers that the ultimate goal of human life is eternal salvation, and that hatred and malice are incompatible with this aim.
“For over thirty years, the Church has taught me that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love for God’s creation – especially for people. That God loves all people and seeks their eternal salvation. That we must flee from all malice, hatred, spite, vengeance, and ill will as from the fire of hell – because that is the fire of hell. There is no hatred in the Kingdom of God—and you won’t smuggle it in. We either abandon all malice and ill will, or we do not enter the Kingdom at all.”
“Murderers will go to hell – without our help. There is no need to rush there after them,” the theologian concluded.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that according to ROC priest Andrei Tkachev, those who call for peace are influenced by the spirit of the Antichrist.
