Patriarch Kirill Appeals to Religious Leaders and International Organizations

The Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', Kirill, addressed leaders of local Orthodox churches, Pope Francis, Anglican Communion leader Justin Welby, and other prominent religious figures and representatives of international organizations in a series of messages this past week. In these appeals, he requested that they raise their voices 'in defense of the persecuted believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.'

The reason for his appeal was the law passed by the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada this week, which allows for the potential banning of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This law was signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday.