« Address of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill dated March 16, 2022 regarding the events in Ukraine »
16-03-2022 
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed the archpastors, pastors, monastics and all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church in connection with the events in Ukraine.
Beloved Fellow-Archpastors!
Dear fathers, brothers and sisters!
Today we are going through a difficult historical period: all our thoughts, worries and prayers are connected with the ongoing events in Ukraine. But even in the most difficult times of trials, our people sought help from the Most Holy Mother of God who has always been a zealous intercessor and defender of Holy Rus’.
During the days of Great Lent, when the Church stands in repentance before the Lord, I appeal to all of you, my dear ones, with an appeal to read daily the “Canon to the Most Holy Mother of God, sung in every sorrow of the soul and in difficult circumstances” with the addition to it of the previously approved prayer for the restoration of peace.
Let us turn our eyes and sighs to the zealous Intercessor of the Christian people, so that, through Her unfailing maternal intercession, the Lord Who loves mankind will incline His mercy to our peoples and grant strong and permanent peace.
+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA