The persecution of Eastern Orthodox Christians became a flashpoint between members of Congress on social media this week as the Russo-Ukrainian war drags on.
On Monday Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., publicized an email from the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist that invited recipients to take part in a “Legislative Day of Action on Capitol Hill in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,†on November 18.
Replying to a screenshot of the email and a story in The Hill about the topic, Wilson wrote on X, “The Russian Orthodox Church is not a separate religious organization but an extension of the Russian state. Evangelizing is illegal in Russia and Christians are targeted and killed in Ukraine. Members should not entertain this intelligence operation.â€
The posting prompted some substantial pushback from fellow public officials who expressed concern for Orthodox Christians being persecuted. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was banned by the Ukrainian Parliament in August 2024, and one does not have to look far for reports of abuse of the church’s clerics and members.
“It is both alarming and disappointing that [Wilson], instead of responding to a request for help on behalf of imprisoned Ukranian [sic] Orthodox members currently being held in Ukraine, chose to turn this into a press campaign against them,†Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., wrote on X.
“Mr. Wilson—with whom I have no personal issues on foreign affairs and who is currently a vocal advocate for Ukraine, even wearing a Ukrainian flag nearly every day—should remember that his first priority is to his own country. His second should be ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are not used to imprison Orthodox Christians simply because the word ‘Russia’ appears in their church name,†the Florida congresswoman continued. “In December, I will be hosting numerous members of the Orthodox Church from across the country alongside several Members of Congress. More to come on this.â€
“It seems like a rather bigoted smear to say that every Russian Orthodox Christian is a spy,†former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., posted in response.
“One of the largest OCA parishes in America is in Greenville, SC. These are Americans, most of them converts. Calling for the investigation of these good Christians? That’s actual Soviet stuff,” South Carolina State Rep. Thomas Beach said in response to Gaetz on X.
“Really ugly smear of Orthodox Christians as agents of a foreign power. This is beneath the office,†Beach added in a response directed to Wilson.
Wilson subsequently responded to his initial post on the subject stating that his comments “pertain ONLY to the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.” The South Carolina congressman’s public remarks come as the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches four years, and Eastern Orthodoxy has seen a surge in the United States.
Pan-Orthodox bishop and clergy did end up visiting Capitol. Catherine Whiteford, a co-chair of the Young Republicans, posted on social media about a group of them meeting with Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who is himself an Antiochian Orthodox Christian.
Whiteford told The Daily Signal that “The [Ukrainian Orthodox Church] has publicly condemned the Russian invasion—calling it ‘the sin of Cain‘—and expressly blessed the faithful to defend their Motherland. In May 2022, at the Council of Feofania, the UOC removed all references to the Russian Church from its charter, ceased commemoration of Patriarch Kirill, and affirmed its fully self-governing status.”
“Regarding Rep. Joe Wilson’s recent post on X and his subsequent clarification: as an Orthodox Christian and as a leader in the Young Republican movement, I found his statements deeply troubling,” Whiteford told The Daily Signal.
“It was inaccurate, dangerous, and inconsistent with American principles. Mischaracterizing the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) as an arm of a foreign state—and denying its status as a legitimate Church—mirrors the same rhetoric used to justify repression of the UOC in Ukraine,” Whiteford continued.
“Such language endangers the religious liberty of all Orthodox Christians in the United States and fosters a climate in which citizens are viewed with suspicion because of their faith. I urge my colleagues in the Republican Party to reject this kind of rhetoric and to uphold our longstanding commitment to religious freedom,” she concluded.
The Daily Signal reached out to Wilson’s office for comment.
The post Christian Persecution in Russia-Ukraine War Becomes Flashpoint for GOP appeared first on The Daily Signal.