Appeal by the Yakunin Committee to bishops, priests and monks, to the representatives of all churches and religious groups in Russia

28 February 2022

Pictured: Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko, member of the Public Committee on Freedom of Conscience  (the Yakunin Committee)

 Source: Moscow Helsinki Group


Reverend sirs! Venerable Fathers! Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The hour of the cruelest test has come! It is up to us to make sure the military adventure by the political leadership of Russia ends in peace as soon as possible!

We urge you not only to pray deeply for peace, but also to cooperate practically with all peacemaking activities! The war must be stopped immediately! There are two essential works of peace: helping the victims and denouncing aggression. This is what the merciful Lord gives us.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you (St. John 14:27), says Christ!

So let us be responsible for our words and actions!

Lev Ponomarev, human rights defender

Valery Borshchev, human rights defender

Karin Moskalenko, lawyer

Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko, Russian Orthodox priest

Rodion Knyazev, historian

Elena Sannikova, poet

Dmitry Dubrovsky, historian


Translated by Simon Cosgrove

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