FILE PHOTO: Metropolitan Epiphanius I, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, prepares to sprinkle holy water to bless Easter cakes which are to be transferred to Ukrainian servicemen fighting on the frontline amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during a ceremony at St Michael's Cathedral before Orthodox Easter, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 9, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
As the bizarre war with Iran stumbles along the focus of the world has moved away from other crucial conflict hotspots, including the interminable war of aggression against Ukraine. A recent report claims that Russia has experienced between 275,000 and 325,000 battlefield deaths, while Ukraine has lost 100,000 to 140,000. The loss of life, including civilians, has been immense and it is all so senseless.
The egomaniacal Russian leader Vladimir Putin has declared that there will be a 32 cessation of fighting this week to mark Orthodox Easter. This pledge has Ukraine wary because of the duplicitous history of the Russians.
The offer of a brief truce to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ is madness. The war is senseless in the first place, as most conflicts are. You may have read about the truce in the week leading to Christmas during WW! when French, German, and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle, exchange food and souvenirs, and sing carols. They even played soccer/football.
The birth, the death, and the resurrection of the Prince of Peace might convince leaders that working toward a world without war would be far superior to token truces. For some reason this objective is considered naive by many. On this Good Friday for Orthodox Christians we can mourn Christ's death with them and pray that there will be a return to sanity for our bloodthirsty species.
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