Skip to main content

'We Cannot Stand Idly By': Orthodox Priest Arrested for Denouncing Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Share This article

A Russian Orthodox priest was arrested earlier this week for condemning the country's invasion of Ukraine. 

Father Ioann Burdin was detained shortly after he made anti-war comments in a sermon to a small congregation in the village of Karabanovo, according to a BBC report. 

In his message, he preached about the ongoing destruction in Ukrainian cities and he also shared anti-war images and a petition on the parish's website.

"We, Christians, cannot stand idly by when a brother kills a brother, a Christian kills a Christian," the petition read in part. "Let's not repeat the crimes of those who hailed Hitler's deeds on Sept. 1, 1939."

**Register for CBN's LIVE Prayer Event at 10:00 am Eastern, Tuesday, March 15.**

Rev. Burdin was charged with discrediting the use of the Armed forces.

According to the Religious News Service, the Orthodox church backs President Vladimir Putin, but Budin's arrest reveals how heavily Russia is cracking down on free speech. 

Russia's parliament passed a law last week criminalizing "fake news" about the military. Those convicted under this law could face 15 years in prison. 

Russian authorities have forbidden media outlets from calling the invasion of Ukraine a war. State-run media outlets have to call the war a "special military operation," Newsweek reports

Several media outlets have suspended their operations in the country because of the censorship, including Britain's BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Company, Bloomberg News, CNN, and CBS News.

***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

Share This article

About The Author

Talia
Wise

Talia Wise has served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets. Prior to joining CBN News she worked for Fox Sports Florida producing and reporting. Talia earned a master’s degree in journalism from Regent University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia.