This is a start, but I must say, why hasn't any member of the clergy called to task the government of Russia (or at least some of its leaders)? It is also sad to see that this causes a potential rift between two 'national' churches that share the same faith.
Appeal by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia
Having learnt about the hostilities in Tshinvali and its outskirts, I call upon the warring parties to cease fire and return to the path of dialogue. Blood is being shed in South Ossetia and people are being killed and this makes my heart to grieve profoundly. Among those who have lifted their hand against each other are Orthodox Christians. What is more, those who have come into conflict are Orthodox nations who are called by the Lord to live in brotherhood and love. I am aware of the appeal to peace made by His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya of All Georgia. I also make my ardent appeal to those who have gone blind with hatred: stop! Do not let more blood be shed, do not let today’s conflict be expanded many times over! Show common sense and virtue: sit at the negotiation table for talks with respect for the traditions, views and aspirations of both the Georgian and Ossetian peoples. The Russian Church is ready to unite efforts with the Georgian Church and help in achieving peace. May our God, Who ‘is not a God of disorder but of peace’ (1 Cor. 14:33), be our Helper in this endeavor.
+ ALEXY
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
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Metropolitan Kirill: We must pray for peace in Caucasus, between Georgian and Ossetian peoples, who share the same faith
“Today our country is facing the danger of war and a new surge of slander that those who don’t like Russia’s historical choice are ready to raise,” Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad pointed out in his ministerial speech on conclusion of the service in the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk. His words are cited by channel “Vesti”.
On the feast day of the Mother of God of Smolensk icon Metropolitan Kirill noted: “Today we have offered up a particularly ardent prayer to the Odigitria and henceforward we must daily pray that the ordeal we are undergoing now should come to a peaceful end as soon as possible and that peace be restored between the Georgians and the Ossetians, two peoples sharing the same faith”.
Having reminded about the feat of the peace-makers, who had perished, the metropolitan said: “We entreat God and Our Lady that the bloodshed stop as soon as possible and that peace and well-being should reign in our country, as well as in Ossetia, in Georgia, in the Caucasus and everywhere”.
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