The ecclesiastical court of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) declared pacifism a heresy that contradicts Orthodox teaching.
This is evidenced by the documents issued by the church court on disgracing priest Ioann Burdin, available to the SOTA outlet, reports UNIAN.
Priest Burdin, who has long been at odds with the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church, declared in one of his sermons that “we, Christians, dare not stand aside when brother kills brother, and a Christian kills a Christian.” The ROC saw heresy in his approach.
“… the pacifism with which priest Burdin is trying to cover himself from the accusations against him is not compatible with the valid teaching of the Orthodox Church, in particular, as set forth in the Fundamentals of the Social Concept. Pacifism was present in heretical doctrines in various eras of church history…” the church court said.
Burdin is also accused of criticizing the Russian government.
Another point of accusation against the clergyman was the wrong attitude towards the “tsar”, which is considered a violation of the “84th rule of the Holy Apostles”.
“If someone torments the tsar or the prince unjustly: he shall bear the punishment. And if such a person is from among the clergy, he shall be expelled from the sacred order; if he is a layman: he shall be excommunicated from the fellowship of the church,” says the rule.
