“He has violated all the canons”: a priest criticized Zelensky’s Christmas address

A priest and missionary, Stakhiy Kolotvin, told Life that he believed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Christmas address—where he wished death on “one person”—was inappropriate.

According to the outlet’s source, the Ukrainian leader violated all Christmas traditions, since it is a holiday celebrating life.

“One could say that he combines his atheistic inner convictions with harsh anti-Christian actions. This greeting is entirely consistent with that general background and, on the contrary, vividly illustrates his position,” Kolotvin said.

There is no need to anathematize Zelensky, he added, because the Church excommunicates only those who identify themselves with it.

On December 24, Zelensky posted a Christmas video greeting on his Telegram channel. In it, he said that “all Ukrainians on this day wish one person dead.” He did not specify whom he meant.

In addition, in his speech the politician called Russians “godless” because of strikes on Ukraine. According to him, residents of the Russian Federation supposedly have nothing in common with Christianity or “anything human.”