Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, has called for calm amid escalating concerns over nuclear weapons.
Speaking at the XXVI World Russian People's Assembly, Kirill emphasized that Christians should not fear the end of the world, as they await the second coming of Jesus Christ.
"Nuclear weapons should not cause fear, as Christians are not afraid of the end of the world. We await the Lord Jesus, who will come in great glory, destroy evil, and judge all nations," the Patriarch said during the Telegram session.
Kirill urged against what he called "excessive alarmism" regarding apocalyptic fears, warning that such anxieties play into manipulative narratives.
"The enemy of humankind seeks to sow anxiety in people's hearts. A person without spiritual peace is easier to control," he explained. "Christians must remain spiritually steadfast and resist the spread of fear."
His remarks arrive amidst heightened global tensions surrounding nuclear arms.
Kirill has been a vocal supporter of the Russian government and has frequently aligned church rhetoric with Kremlin messaging.
In early November, Patriarch Kirill suggested that Russia could consider reinstating the death penalty. He argued that neither Christian doctrine nor Jesus Christ explicitly condemns capital punishment, a statement that has sparked controversy among religious and secular communities alike.
