Orthodox Church suspends priest for openly backing Ukrainian conflict Miko Morelos|Monday, March 30 2015
The Russian Orthodox Church has placed a priest under suspension for blessing a group of fighters to be deployed to eastern Ukraine by telling them to fight off government troops who he described as "fascist scum."
The priest, identified as Vladimir Zaytsev, had been videotaped on March 12 giving a blessing to about 50 fighters during a send-off ceremony as some of the troops waved flags of the two pro-Russian regions who wanted to break away from Ukraine. "Fight against the fascist scum if needed, and I think it will be necessary," Zaytsev was heard as saying in the video, referring to Ukrainian government forces. "Don't be afraid of anything." During the year-long conflict both sides have accused each other of being fascists.
In a statement, local diocesan authorities said that Zaytsev was suspended until Easter because of his remarks clearly "contradicted the position of the Russian Orthodox Church regarding what is happening in Ukraine." The diocese likewise sought to clarify the purported blessing that the priest gave, explaining that it should not be taken as "blessing for carrying out a fratricidal war," The Moscow Times reported.
Church officials have yet to decide if it should further punish the priest, saying that authorities would decide what to do with Zaytsev, whether to reinstate him to the priesthood or not, after Easter.
Read more: www.ecumenicalnews.com/ar...orthodox-church-suspends- priest-for-openly-backing-ukrainian-conflict-28939#ixzz3VvEZdcm7
Click for Full Text!
