This week we’re marking the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022. Roy Jenkins explores some of the religious elements involved in this conflict. Many argue that Russia’s President Putin has been using religion to justify his so-called special military operation. The largest religious tradition in both Russia and Ukraine is the Orthodox Church with years of history stretching back to 988 AD. Officially there are 15 Orthodox churches worldwide, along with a dozen others whose status is said to be uncertain. It’s Patriarch Kirill who leads the Moscow Patriarchate. He’s spoken in support of Russia’s so-called special military operation; a stance which has led Pope Francis to refer to him as “Putin’s altar boy”. We hear about him and ask just how much religious liberty there is for worshippers in Russia.

Meanwhile in Ukraine where there is considerable religious diversity, we hear about the friction between the pro-Moscow Orthodox and independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine. We also hear about the humanitarian and pastoral work in the country. We also ask - what of the future?

Our guests:

Dr Geraldine Fagan: Editor of the journal East-West Church Report and a practising member of the Orthodox Church. www.eastwestreport.org

Dr Joshua Searle of Spurgeon’s College in London and a trustee of the Dnipro Hope Mission in Ukraine. www.dniprohopemission.org

Jonathan Luxmoore is freelance journalist based in the UK and Poland specialising in religious news throughout Europe. He writes (among others) for the Church Times and The Tablet.

Music:

Extracts from the Vespers Op 37 by Sergei Rachmaninov.

Extract from Prayer for Ukraine by Valentin Silvestrov.