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
