Press Release – June 16, 2026
For Immediate Release
Statement from the Orthodox Public Affairs Committee
The Orthodox Public Affairs Committee (OPAC) strongly condemns the Russian attack that damaged the Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of the most sacred sites in the Orthodox Christian world. Images of flames and destruction at this ancient shrine should shock the conscience of every Christian and every person of goodwill.
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is not simply a Ukrainian landmark. It is a spiritual treasure of world Orthodoxy, a place of prayer, pilgrimage, and Christian witness that has stood for nearly a thousand years. To see it damaged amid yet another wave of Russian attacks is heartbreaking. While reports indicate that the cathedral itself was damaged rather than destroyed, the attack nevertheless represents a profound violation of a sacred space revered by Orthodox Christians throughout the world.
At OPAC, defending religious freedom and protecting sacred spaces are central to our mission. Houses of worship are not political symbols to be exploited, nor are they acceptable collateral damage in war. They are places where human beings encounter God, bury their loved ones, celebrate baptisms and marriages, and seek refuge during moments of fear and uncertainty. An attack that damages a church of this significance or any house of worship for that matter, is an attack on the religious and cultural heritage of all Orthodox Christians.
We are also deeply troubled by the relative silence of many religious leaders around the world. The destruction of churches, monasteries, synagogues, mosques, and other sacred sites should unite faith leaders in clear and unequivocal condemnation. Too often, statements have been muted, delayed, or absent altogether. At moments such as these, moral clarity is not optional. It is required.
No religious leader deserves greater scrutiny than Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. For years, he has provided theological cover for Vladimir Putin’s war while millions have suffered, including countless Orthodox Christians. Rather than serving as a prophetic voice for peace, repentance, and reconciliation, Patriarch Kirill has too often aligned himself with the interests of the Russian state. While churches burn, families are displaced, and innocent people die, the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate has failed to offer the moral clarity this moment demands.
Orthodoxy cannot be used as a shield for aggression. The faith of the Apostles calls us to defend human dignity, protect the innocent, and pursue peace. No political objective can justify the devastation that this war has inflicted on civilians, communities, and sacred places.
We also note that President Donald Trump recently received the Great Bearer of the Cross of the Order of Cross-Bearers of the Holy Sepulchre from His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. According to public reports, the award was presented in recognition of efforts to protect Christian communities, safeguard holy sites, and defend religious freedom.
Yet at the very moment one of Orthodoxy’s most sacred sites has been damaged by a Russian attack, many Orthodox Christians are left wondering: why was this honor bestowed, and what tangible results has it produced for Christians suffering under the shadow of war? During the campaign, President Trump repeatedly stated that he could end the war in Ukraine within twenty-four hours. Today, the war continues. Churches continue to be damaged. Innocent civilians continue to die. One of the most sacred sites in Orthodox Christianity now bears the scars of war. What happened?
If this distinguished honor is meant to recognize leadership in protecting Christian communities and holy sites, then now is the time to demonstrate that leadership. The people of Ukraine deserve more than promises. They deserve peace.
We pray for the victims of this war, for the clergy and faithful who continue to worship under the threat of violence, and for the preservation of Christianity’s sacred places. May God grant peace to Ukraine, comfort to all who suffer, and wisdom to those with the power to bring this tragic conflict to an end.
Truth Lives in Light!
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For More Information, Please contact the Orthodox Public Affairs Committee at Info@OrthodoxPac.org