Putin Declares Ukraine War a "HOLY MISSION From God" as Former Archbishop Slams HERESY

Rowan Williams Blasts Putin's "Bizarre" Claim That Russian Soldiers Fight at "Lord's Behest"

Vladimir Putin has been accused of heresy by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams following comments by the Russian president linking Russia's war effort to Christianity.

Putin made the remarks earlier this month in a statement marking Orthodox Christmas. He referred to Christ as coming into the world to save all people, before adding:

"Russian warriors, always carry out this very mission as if by the command of the Lord, a mission of defending the Fatherland, defending our country and its people. People in Russia have always treated their warriors as those who, acting at God's command, carry out this holy mission."

The statement comes nearly four years after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Putin also reportedly told Russian troops that the invasion of Ukraine was a "holy mission" at "the Lord's behest."

"We're Talking About Heresy"

Lord Williams told The Independent that the statement undermines "a really fundamental aspect of religious belief, of Christian belief, which assumes that we have to defend God by violence."

Williams, who served as Archbishop for a decade from 2002, added: "I'd certainly say we're talking about heresy."

"The idea that death in battle for your country equates to Christian martyrdom seems to be the most bizarre and unjustifiable interpretation you could take," he said. "There is something really, really disturbing about the systematic, comprehensive rebranding of Christianity as Russian national ideology."

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Christ came to save, not to sanction territorial conquest.

Every Christian must reject this perversion of the faith.

Putin's "holy war" is unholy. His martyrs aren't saints. His mission isn't from God.

This is antichrist ideology wearing a cross.

TAKE ACTION

Pray for Ukrainian Christians:

• Suffering under "holy war" invasion
• Pray for Russian Christians resisting propaganda
• Pray for church leaders to reject nationalism

Support Ukrainian Church Relief:

• Ukrainian Catholic University: ucu.edu.ua/en/support
• Barnabas Fund Ukraine: barnabasfund.org
• Email: info@barnabasfund.org

Expose False Theology:

• Share articles exposing Putin's theological manipulation
• Educate your church about Christian nationalism dangers

Support Persecuted Russian Dissenters:

• Many Russian Christians oppose the war
• Open Doors supports believers facing persecution: opendoorsuk.org

Demand Church Accountability:

• Pressure Russian Orthodox leadership to reject war blessing
• Support denominations that have condemned the invasion

Read Rowan Williams' full statement. Share it widely. Teach your church the difference between patriotism and heresy. Christianity doesn't belong to any nation. Christ's kingdom isn't advanced by invasion. When leaders weaponize faith for politics, Christians must speak truth.v