Orthodox Easter in Ukraine and Russia overshadowed by war

As Ukraine and Russia marked their third Orthodox Easter at war, Moscow launched a barrage of drones at eastern Ukraine, further escalating tensions in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking on the holy day, called God an “ally” in his country’s struggle against Russia’s full-scale invasion, urging Ukrainians to unite in prayer for victory over death.

Meanwhile, in Moscow, worshippers including President Vladimir Putin attended a nighttime Easter service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kirill, a staunch Kremlin supporter, wished for “God’s blessing over Russia” and all countries where the church has a presence, avoiding political statements unlike last year when he expressed sorrow over events in Russian historical lands.

The drone attacks by Russia in eastern Ukraine resulted in six people, including a child, being wounded in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting most of the drones, but the situation on the frontline continues to deteriorate.

The Russian Orthodox Church follows a different calendar for Easter than most churches in the West, with a majority of Ukrainians identifying as Orthodox Christians. However, the church is divided, with many belonging to the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which split from the Moscow Patriarchate after the 2022 invasion.

President Putin has positioned himself as a defender of “traditional values” upheld by the Russian Orthodox Church, supporting conservative policies such as restrictions on abortion and anti-LGBT measures. As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia persists, the religious and political dynamics in the region remain complex and fraught with tension.