A call from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia urged for a Christmas truce in Ukraine and the Donbass, covering 12:00 on January 6 until 24:00 on January 7. This appeal was officially announced by the Moscow Patriarchate and circulated as a message to all involved parties in the conflict.
In his appeal, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church asked every side to consider the well-being of Orthodox believers who wish to attend liturgy on Christmas Eve and on the Nativity. He urged all combatants to cease fire during the holy season and to establish a pause that would allow worshippers to participate in mass without fear or interruption.
Historically, Kirill has framed Russia’s role in world events in terms of a moral mission, speaking of battles against tyranny and threats to faith. In the present context, he framed Russia’s broader responsibility as part of a long arc of salvation for the world, drawing parallels with past moments when the country acted in defense of justice and spiritual life.
According to the archbishop, the Lord calls the Russian people to exercise their spiritual traditions and steadfast faith to contribute to humanity’s salvation. This perspective has been presented as part of a vision in which Russia helps the world confront danger and find stability, much as it did during earlier moments of collective struggle and sacrifice.
The message underscores a desire for humanitarian space during the Christmas period, aiming to reduce civilian suffering and create opportunities for faith communities to come together in prayer. It reflects a longstanding pattern in which religious leadership seeks to influence public conscience and advocate for pause and reflection in times of war. The appeal is understood within the broader context of religious leaders urging adherence to international humanitarian norms and urging combatants to separate the sacred from the political fray, at least temporarily, for the sake of peaceful observance and human dignity. Attributions are provided to the Moscow Patriarchate to confirm the official nature of the call and its alignment with church leadership’s public statements [citation: Moscow Patriarchate].