His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed the archpastors, pastors, monastics and all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church

Your Bliss! Your Eminences and Eminences! Dear fathers, brothers and sisters!

It is with deep and heartfelt pain that I perceive the suffering of people caused by the events taking place.

As the Patriarch of All Russia and the Primate of the Church, whose flock is in Russia, Ukraine and other countries, I deeply empathize with everyone who has been touched by trouble.

I call on all parties to the conflict to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.

I appeal to the bishops, pastors, monastics and laity to provide all possible assistance to all victims, including refugees, people left without shelter and livelihood.

The Russian and Ukrainian peoples have a common centuries-old history dating back to the Baptism of Russia by the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. I believe that this God-given community will help overcome the divisions and contradictions that have arisen that have led to the current conflict.

I call on the entirety of the Russian Orthodox Church to offer up a deep, fervent prayer for the speedy restoration of peace.

The All-Merciful Lord, through the intercession of Our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and all the saints, may the Russian, Ukrainian and other peoples that our Church unites spiritually!

+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA