Dear brothers and sisters! Faithful to our Ukrainian Orthodox Church!

As the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, I appeal to you and to all citizens of Ukraine. A terrible thing happened. Unfortunately, Russia has launched military operations against Ukraine, and at this fateful time, I urge you not to panic, to be courageous, and to show love for your homeland and for each other. I urge you, first of all, to intensify penitential prayer for Ukraine, for our army, and our people, I ask you to forget mutual quarrels and misunderstandings and to unite with love for God and our Motherland.

At this tragic time, we express our special love and support to our soldiers who stand guard and protect and defend our land and our people. May God bless and cherish them!

Defending the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, we also appeal to the President of Russia to stop the fratricidal war immediately. The Ukrainian and Russian peoples came out of the Dnieper baptismal font, and the war between these peoples is a repetition of Cain's sin, which enviously killed his own brother. Such a war has no justification for either God or man.

I call on all to common sense, which teaches us to solve our earthly problems in mutual dialogue and mutual understanding, and I sincerely hope that God will forgive us our sins and that God's peace will reign on our land and in the whole world!

+ Onuphrius,

Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine

Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

(Sources: Address in Ukrainian, Address in Russian)