Explanation
Dear reader! The following reading will certainly have different effects on different readers. But I want to be understood correctly:
● I am neither pro-Russian nor a utopian;
● This dream reflects not so much reality as what I consider to be right, both in terms of values and in terms of achieving peace in Ukraine;
I am not a security expert or any other expert. I am a simple person, but I think along, I live along, and I have my own longings. It is natural that all this leaves its mark and I am no longer able to refrain from expressing myself. If this reading awakens any thoughts, I am happy.
And now the dream itself.
Today is a historic day. Something that no one believed or expected is happening.
We are in a prison chapel. The altar and the lectern are covered with purple covers, symbolizing half-mourning and repentance. A table has been placed in front of the altar, also covered with a purple cloth. Behind the table are two simple chairs and on the table are the national flags of Ukraine and Russia. Two documents bound in ceremonial leather are also placed on the table.
The signing of a peace treaty between Ukraine and the Fatherland is taking place, no more and no less.
First, the local prison chaplain takes the rostrum:
Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen. The word of God testifies against us today with the words from Jeremiah 40:3:
You have sinned.
Amen.
Yes, another great sin has occurred in the history of mankind. This is a grave and shameless war between two neighbors. The cause of the war was hysterical imperialism, and the suffering of the people and the people of Ukraine cannot be fairly estimated. This should never have happened.
Today we are here to repent of this sin and also to end this sin. In the future, it is the duty of all of us to do everything to prevent such things. Starting a war is the most heinous crime of all!
That is why today is especially precious! A just peace will triumph, human rights and the freedom of a people will triumph! God’s justice will triumph! Worship to God! Eternal memory to the fallen!
Amen!
As a prayer and in memory of the deceased, we sing the song “Bless, Creator Spirit!”
1. Bless, Creator Spirit, even in the night of the grave
those whom the enemy of hatred has killed in us!
You, mighty grace of life,
revive their dust
at that source of life, there in the homeland!
2. End the night of enmity, let Your kingdom come!
Put your hands together, You, reconcile everyone:
let us
rise from the mouth of the grave
new love!
Unite all the nations, unite everyone!
Now the presidents of Ukraine and Russia will sit at the table and the peace treaty will receive its signatures.
The next thing I remember from this dream is the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin:
Dear guests!
Today, this terrible war is over. The soldiers can return home to their families and our peoples can rebuild their peaceful lives.
I admit that this war did not have any positive goals. It was undertaken out of imperialist aspirations. We wanted to restore the glory of the former Russian Empire. And it led to immense suffering and losses. More than two million soldiers died and were seriously disabled. The enormous cost of the war, ecological and economic damage to both sides. The pain of the Ukrainian people is indescribable. Just as the damage caused to the mutual understanding of the two peoples is indescribable.
I and the Russian government have also damaged the reputation of our own country and disgraced our country’s army, because we sent the army to a shameful war, to commit inhumane acts and to certain death. The result was humiliating for Russia and the Russian army. It is sad that this humiliation turned out to be necessary so that we could come to our senses.
War destroys lives and shatters human destinies. This is how we understand the pain and suffering that millions of people are now carrying.
Russia takes full responsibility for what happened. We will pay for all material damage, reimburse veterans’ medical expenses, and compensate families for the loss of their breadwinners. And I and everyone who participated with me in starting this war will transfer all our worldly property to the reparation fund. We will return all the territory we have conquered. Including Crimea.
Russia’s policy towards its neighbors must also change. The freedom and human rights of peoples must be respected. Other peoples must not be dictated to what decisions they make and what they do not make. We recognize that it was our mistake to see our neighbors as a threat to ourselves when in fact there was no such threat. We recognize that our neighbors have suffered because of us throughout their history. We also take responsibility for them. What exactly we can do for our neighbors, we will discuss with them separately. It is also necessary to do everything to ease tensions in relations with our Western neighbors.
Personally, I immediately surrender myself to the Hague Tribunal today to humbly bear responsibility for my crimes.
Russia has a lot of work to do with itself. The imperialist and chauvinist mentality must die. The suspicious gaze towards the rest of the world must end. Ordinary people need security, care and freedom both in Russia and elsewhere in the world. The world needs united cooperation to meet common challenges and realize common opportunities.
I wish a new era of cooperation, friendliness and change of mind, peace and reconciliation for all of us!
Finally, I must fulfill the task I received from Patriarch Kirill. He also has an appeal to you, distinguished guests, and to all Christians of the Moscow Patriarchate:
The Bible calls:
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with all men! (Romans 12:18)
Amen
Unfortunately, this principle has been violated very often in the world. The war between Russia and Ukraine is undoubtedly one of the worst examples of this. As Patriarch, I acknowledge that the Russian Orthodox Church has greatly supported the Russian state in its imperialist behavior. I myself am responsible for justifying and even glorifying the war. I feel guilty that the churches of the Moscow Patriarchate in various countries have been at the service of Russian chauvinism and even the special services.
Therefore, I want to clearly state that:
● no chauvinism, the doctrine of the Third Rome, ethnophiletism, etc. are in harmony with the Gospel. These are false teachings that have no place in the Church. The most important thing is always Christ. If the Patriarch is the head of the Church, then Christ is above the Patriarch, and so the highest head of the Church is Christ. The Patriarch’s actions must not contradict Christ at any level. But as a Christian and as a Patriarch, I contradicted Christ;
● The highest task of the Church is to testify about Christ and preach the Gospel;
● The Church must, among other things, serve the peace of nations and do everything for the well-being of local society, serve people, bring peace between people and help sinners to repentance, and extend a helping hand to everyone who is in trouble in life;
● Inciting war is a crime. The attack on Ukraine was also a crime.
Therefore, I call on all Orthodox Christians to serve all people and glorify God. Pray for the repentance of all Russia, for the peace of the peoples, and for the healing of wounds!
I repent of my sins and resign from the patriarchate. A monastic life awaits me.
Be protected and blessed!
Then I woke up. I will not hide that it was a pleasant dream, but I am still a realist and realize that it was only a dream, and dreams usually do not coincide with life. As a member of a small people, I cannot believe in the repentance of Russia, I cannot believe that the leaders of Russia have the dignity and honesty to make such speeches and change Russia’s behavior in this way… And the transformation of spirituality is a very painful and slow process and requires repentance, which is difficult to expect in the case of Russia. And this is truly sad, because one cannot surrender and come to terms. The tragedy is that with today’s Russia, planet Earth is not very habitable.
Lord, have mercy!