I write this to you sincerely, though I doubt you know me or remember me from Adam’s housecat, as what may be one of the last overtly political posts on this blog. For all that I plan to talk about politics in some different contexts, my time in other discussions of politics is at an end as I move into a truly new life of Faith.
I hope you will get this, intact even, as there is still at least one person in the Kremlin openly reading me pretty much daily. And, yes, I know that was a bit of a message too. I was and am actually glad of it as I hope some of my messages got through, at least in part.
This letter is sparked in part by Stephen Green at Instapundit, who wrote that “This would be a great time for peace, Vladimir.” And, he is right: this would indeed be a great time for peace.
As you know, I’ve opposed the current war in Ukraine and thought it to be a major mistake. However, I also know that a number of your friends and advisors felt otherwise but history has shown their words to be empty and false, a village built on lies worthy of a Potemkin. Very few people have had the courage to tell you to your face that those words were wrong and to oppose the war. You would do well to consider that they may be your true friends and some of the only honest people around you.
Yes, I do know that Russkiy Mir, and your legacy in regard it, is a driver of and for you. I’ve also been most honest in my opposition to it. I would, however, make the case that a voluntary union for such would be far stronger and more capable than a restive and rebellious forced conglomeration. I would further note that most major Christian denominations posit that forced conversion is not only invalid, but immoral and an abomination. I would then note that the Eastern Orthodox Churches have never been all that big on forced conversion. It has happened, but such is both an aberration and an abomination before God.
God is granting you the opportunity to be a truly great statesman and not only accept peace, but to forge new pathways for the betterment of all in the process. If my small and insignificant voice can help in that, and perhaps bring some thoughts from outside the circle of those constantly around you, I will be glad to do so in person. All I would ask is safe passage, and — if possible — the chance to visit the graves of St. Xenia of Petersburg and St. Seraphim of Sarov, and for us to do so together with prayers for guidance.
My words are as those of a lone wolf far in the distance of the wilderness. I doubt you will hear them or even of them, and I especially doubt you will hear them whole as I have presented them. Such is not mine to control, but if they are just and proper I must have the faith that they will indeed reach you.
May God guide you to do what is right now and in the days ahead, and may his mercy be upon you, your people, and all the peoples of the world. It is time Vladimir for peace. Go with God and the Theotokos on this new, and even scary, path.
In Christ,
LW
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Rooting Tooting Vladimir Putin has shown some interest in religion, but who knows whether that was strictly for public consumption. So I suspect they’ll get a laugh from your column and continue to run the KGB playbook on both domestic and foreign affairs. But nice of you to try.
Interesting how us Auld Pharts finally stumvle into church, ainnit?
🙂 It is indeed.
Peace requires willing participants unless one is talking surrender. We’re all familiar with surrender since that was our absolute and only demand of the Axis powers in World War II. Those familiar with history know how far America was willing to go for Peace. Why does anyone expect Putin to surrender? Anyone familiar with history knows that the second he stops and leaves this unfinished it will simply start again in a matter of months because everyone knows and everyone in Europe has declared that they will all use the peace interlude to arm Ukraine to the teeth and sic them on Russia again because let’s be honest, those surrender monkeys who demand Putin surrender will not stop until Zelensky gets Russia’s Crimea back and that just isn’t going to happen.
I’m curious to see what the results are from the little peace chat between the US and xUSSR today.
“I would then note that the Eastern Orthodox Churches have never been all that big on forced conversion. It has happened, but such is both an aberration and an abomination before God.”
The Russian Orthodox Church was an active participant in the “cantonist” system in czarist Russia in the 19th century, wherein Jewish boys as young as 8 years old were conscripted into the army for a term of 25 years. The explicit goal of this policy was Russification and conversion to Russian Orthodox Christianity.
https://grok.com/c/ae9b0900-4d97-4c0e-8569-c5b7bf4fe230
Two quick things for your consideration. First, this is a real and sincere letter, not a thesis that needs include every detail and possibility; and, second did the whole “It has happened, but such is both an aberration and an abomination before God.” escap your notice and consideration? Yes it has (and may be again) happening; but, it is acknowledged though not spelled out in detail (thus derailing the letter and it’s purpose). Again, there is a purpose and flow to a letter meant to engage, and it is not a thesis or dissertation. I have to ask, was this just a drive-by smugging to show off, or what point did you truly think you were making, or how did this help the purpose of the missive?
The ROC has been a strange creature for a long, long time. It has produced innumerable saints (one of my “favorites” being St. Tikhon of Zadonsk) whilst at the same time producing some of the most cancerous strains of thought within the Church. Recently, its behavior has been truly frightening. Between specific accounts related in publications like “Russian Nuclear Orthodoxy” and the report written for the Patriarch of Alexandria and the vile heresies spouted in support of the slaughter of fellow Orthodox (like a very Islamic proclamation of “all sins forgiven if you die fighting in Ukraine”), the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate has been far less than what it could have been for quite some time.
I do not disagree. In fact, some of what you cite went into my “It has happened…” comment. Which is a shame for a Church that has given a great deal of beautiful music and more to the rest of the world. Love your inclusion of St. Tikhon, and would also add St. John of Kronstadt to the mix. Thank you also for a respectful comment that adds to the discussion. I should probably note that I am not a member of the ROC, nor is the ROC the entirety of the Eastern Orthodox Church.