There is more to this than we might think. Let us never forget that Adolf Hitler was a Christian Nationalist who rose to power with strong support from Christian conservatives. Religious people of any doctrine face constant temptation to twist religion to evil. Yes, government leaders can use religion to strengthen their own power. Nevertheless, religion is at its best when it challenges wrongful governmental actions.
And, in fact, challenging government is exactly what Father Burdin did, and in no uncertain terms. In translation, his website said:
“Brothers and sisters! In the early morning of 24 February, Russian troops attacked Ukraine. There is shelling of Kiev, Odessa, Kharkov, Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities. Russian soldiers are killing their brothers and sisters in Christ. We Christians do not dare to stand aside when a brother kills a brother, a Christian kills a Christian. Let us not repeat the crimes of those who hailed Hitler’s action on 1 September 1939. We cannot shamefacedly close our eyes and call black white, [or] evil good, [or] say that Abel was probably wrong in provoking his older brother. The blood of the inhabitants of Ukraine will remain on the hands of not only the rulers of the Russian Federation and the soldiers who carry out this order. Their blood is on the hands of each of us who approved this war or who simply remained silent.”
A Progression of Moral Ideas
Father Burdin began by stating the facts, reminded his congregation of Christian moral principles, brought up historical precedents, and concluded with a universal call.
First, he described the Russian military’s attacks against Ukraine in cities. He pointed out that many Ukrainians are Christians.
Second, Father Burdin said that Christians should never look away when “a brother kills a brother.” In fact, he said “dare:” Christians should not “dare to stand aside.” It requires courage to resist earthly authorities. In contrast, “dare” suggests that only great arrogance causes one to stand against God’s laws.
Father Burdin was not saying that it is all right for Christians to go to war against non-Christians. Instead, he chose words carefully to help his congregation identify with the war’s Ukrainian victims.
Third, he compared the Ukraine-Russia war with the horrors of World War II. Hitler’s army invaded Ukraine during that horrible conflict, spreading devastation while committing horrible massacres in Ukraine itself. That army, as Russians well remember, soon swept into Russia itself. Father Burdin reminded his congregation that many people “hailed Hitler’s actions on 1 September 1939.” That bold statement implied that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was equally wrong. Furthermore, it implicitly condemned people of today who praise Putin’s actions. We all know that Hitler was evil. Since we don’t always recognize evil in ourselves, Father Burdin showed the similarities between Hitler in 1939 and Putin in 2022.
Fourth, Father Burdin pointed out that the entire nation is responsible. Not only are Russia’s rulers and soldiers guilty of shedding Ukrainian blood, but also “Their blood is on the hands of each of us who approved this war or who simply remained silent.”
Russia is a constitutional republic only in name, as Vladimir Putin rules the nation with an iron fist. Yet, Father Burdin said that anyone who endorses the war, even by silence, is morally responsible. (How much more are Americans responsible if they stay silent in the face of evil?)
The Russian authorities arrested this troublesome priest and sentenced him to pay a fine, which was covered by his parish’s donations.
Moral Courage Is Rare
Yet, not much earlier, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, the spiritual leader of Russian Orthodoxy, praised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He supported Putin because he wanted to avoid moral deterioration and Gay Pride parades. (Doesn’t that sound like the American Christian right?) Patriarch Kirill’s pro-war stance is sparking stark divisions in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Religion and Government
It’s not just Christians. Will religious leaders, of whatever sect or denomination, stand up for what is right? Or will they let the lust for power corrupt their sacred teachings? History gives us many examples of both paths. In the United States, our own Christian Right continues to seek political power, often abandoning their own religious principles in the process. In 2014, Rev. Franklin Graham did not exactly praise Putin, but did speak favorably of Putin’s anti-gay-rights philosophy. He used that opportunity to attack Barack Obama for defending gay people’s rights. Christian Right author Eric Metaxas blamed the Ukraine war, not on Putin, but on an American Deep State conspiracy.
Russia is a constitutional republic only in name, as Vladimir Putin rules the nation with an iron fist. Yet, Father Burdin said that anyone who endorses the war, even by silence, is morally responsible. (How much more are Americans responsible if they stay silent in the face of evil?)
The Russian authorities arrested this troublesome priest and sentenced him to pay a fine, which was covered by his parish’s donations.
Moral Courage Is Rare
Yet, not much earlier, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, the spiritual leader of Russian Orthodoxy, praised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He supported Putin because he wanted to avoid moral deterioration and Gay Pride parades. (Doesn’t that sound like the American Christian right?) Patriarch Kirill’s pro-war stance is sparking stark divisions in the Russian Orthodox Church.
Religion and Government
It’s not just Christians. Will religious leaders, of whatever sect or denomination, stand up for what is right? Or will they let the lust for power corrupt their sacred teachings? History gives us many examples of both paths. In the United States, our own Christian Right continues to seek political power, often abandoning their own religious principles in the process. In 2014, Rev. Franklin Graham did not exactly praise Putin, but did speak favorably of Putin’s anti-gay-rights philosophy. He used that opportunity to attack Barack Obama for defending gay people’s rights. Christian Right author Eric Metaxas blamed the Ukraine war, not on Putin, but on an American Deep State conspiracy.
So, at risk to himself, Father Burdin stood up to a ruthless dictator. He reminded his congregation about Christian values of peace; of brotherhood and sisterhood. He warned them not to repeat the mistakes of those who supported Hitler. He urged them not to watch evil deeds in silence. Furthermore, he reminded the world to speak up to do the right things. If religion and government become too close, both inevitably become corrupted. Father Burdin, a small-town priest, spoke up for what is right. So far, his government isn’t listening. Are we?
