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Russian Orthodox response to Putin; Ukraine's Chief Rabbi in exile; The Christian radio station broadcasting defiantly from Kyiv

Edward Stourton takes a look at the ethical and religious issues of the week.

There are growing calls for the Russian Orthodox Church, led by the Moscow Patriarch Kirill, to condemn the Russian President Vladimir Putin for his decision to invade Ukraine. Earlier this week, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on Patriarch Kirill to urge the leaders of the Russian Federation to ‘immediately cease the hostilities that threaten to turn into a world war’. And Russian Orthodox priests around the world are speaking out against the invasion. We hear from one in Durham and Edward Stourton speaks to Father Stephen Platt, Secretary for Inter-Christian Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

We will also hear from Ukrainian refugees in Poland on their plight and the welcome they've received from Polish churches and the Jesuit Refugee Service. Tetiana Stawnychy, president of Caritas Ukraine, tell us what aid is needed now. And we find out about the Christian radio station broadcasting defiantly from Kyiv, offering spiritual and practical support as the city is surrounded by war.

There's some good news too as we return to Barmston in Yorkshire, where back in January curate Richard Townend tweeted a picture of his empty church after no one turned up for his Sunday service. After hearing his story on the programme, 14 people showed up the following week - including some new to church-going. And now villagers have launched a "bums on pews" campaign to save the church.

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44 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 6 Mar 2022 07:10

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