The Russian Orthodox Church in Australia has made little effort to publicly condemn the war in Ukraine. By staying silent we are concerned that the perception is that it supports President Putin's invasion of another sovereign state.

Many among the Russian Orthodox laity in Australia are just as appalled as their fellow Australians at the atrocities being inflicted on the people of Ukraine and pray that the Russian armed forces cease hostilities immediately and return to their own sovereign territory. 

We call on the leadership of Russian Orthodox Diocese in Australia to make a public declaration that it unequivocally condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and to petition its governing body in New York, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) to issue a similar condemnation.