How Russian Christians View the ‘Special Military Operation’ in Ukraine
Torn between "pro-Putin" and "pro-prayer," only a minority have spoken out publicly against the invasion. Ukrainian seminary leaders call for repentance.
JAYSON CASPER|
APRIL 22, 2022 06:00 AM

A sunset view from Zaryadye park with Christ the Savior Cathedral in the background in downtown Moscow, Russia, on April 19, 2022.

Russian sermons—to the extent legally possible—reflect the national mood.

"Honour the tsar!" preached Alexey Novikov of Land of Freedom Pentecostal church in Moscow two days after the February 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine, quoting from 1 Peter 2:17. While not pro-war, it was certainly pro-Russia. Once a lawfully elected president commits troops, he said, it is a Christian’s duty to support them.

One month later, Mikhail Belyaev of Source of Living Water Baptist church in Voronezh, Russia, asked, "Why are the churches silent?"

Many Ukrainian evangelicals are fuming at their cross-border colleagues for failing to speak out against the war. They also cite the apostle Peter, placing priority on the same verse’s earlier command: “Love the family of believers."

But Belyaev’s sermon was not pro-Ukraine. His congregation 320 miles south of Moscow provides a different answer.

The churches are not silent, he said. They are preaching the gospel and praying for peace.

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