Ukrainian metropolitan calls teachings of his Russian Patriarch heresy

Earlier, in a sermon, Patriarch Kirill of the Moscow Patriarchate stated that a sacrifice such as dying on the battlefield would wash away all sins. However, according to Metropolitan Augustine, these teachings are a heresy. He said so in a video on Telegram. “It is heresy to say that a warrior is a hero, especially when he gave his life for his homeland, and therefore automatically receive the Kingdom of Heaven. Only the blood of Christ cleanses sin. And sins are forgiven through repentance”, the Metropolitan said.

Metropolitan Augustine (Markevich) of Bila Tserkva and Boguslav is head of the Synodal Department of the UOC for Interaction with the Armed Forces and other military formations of Ukraine.

Augustine is ethnically Belarusian and was the son of an Orthodox priest who came from a long line of priests who served in wartimes. According to Archbishop Augustine, his paternal grandfather died on the front lines during WWII, and his uncle, a border guard, was also killed in the war.