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Metropolitan Epifaniy: Those who once called themselves “brothers” attack the freedom of others

July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine reflected on the witness of Saints Boris and Gleb in a message marking their feast day, drawing parallels between the martyrdom of the first canonized saints of Kyivan Rus’ and Ukraine’s present-day experience of war.

In a post shared on social media, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine recalled that July 24 commemorates the holy martyrs, the right-believing princes Boris and Gleb, the younger sons of St. Volodymyr the Great, who were murdered in 1015 at the instigation of their half-brother Sviatopolk, known in history as “the Accursed,” during his struggle for power.

Metropolitan Epifaniy noted that Boris and Gleb were among the first saints glorified by the Church of Kyiv in the eleventh century and that their canonization was also recognized by the Church of Constantinople.

Reflecting on their witness, he said the two princes became victims of a political crime and dynastic conflict but chose not to seek power through violence or revenge. Although they possessed armies and could have fought for the throne of Kyiv, they rejected fratricidal war and instead embraced sacrifice, humility, reconciliation, and fidelity to…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Χρήστος Μακρής

Saints Voris and Gleb chose not to fight their brother even when they had an army. Today we see the opposite – those who once called themselves “brothers” attacking churches and freedom. Pity.

Stephen Walker

The story of Boris and Gleb choosing not to fight their own brother even when they had the soldiers always makes me pause. It’s a hard example. Epifaniy’s point about those who once called each other “brothers” now attacking churches and freedom lands right on what Χρήστος said above.

Μαρία Θεοδώρου

Saints Voris and Gleb preferred humiliation to war with their brother, even though they had an army. Today we see the opposite, as Christos says, with attacks on churches. I wonder how these two saints would see it if they were alive today.

Ljubica Ilić

Saints Boris and Gleb refused to start a fratricidal war even though they had an army, and today the opposite can be seen - those who called themselves brothers attack other people's churches. Epiphanius' text made me wonder what they would say about what is happening in Ukraine. It's hard to watch.

Katherine Brown

The part about them having armies ready but choosing not to use them really hits home. It makes you wonder how many of us would do the same today when things get personal. Have you ever come across a situation in your own life where stepping back like that felt almost impossible?

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

Yes, Mary, their choice of humility and reconciliation instead of blood is the strongest message. But today I see that many use the name of the saints to justify attacks on churches of the regular Church, while they themselves have an army and power. How do you think they would react if they saw churches being sealed by "brothers"?

Νίκος Μιχαηλίδης

John is right to say that. Saints Voris and Gleb refused to raise a sword against a brother, and yet today we see churches of the canonical Church being sealed with the help of power. I would like to ask: do you think that this parable of humiliation can still speak to those who hold power today?

Ανδρέας Παναγιωτόπουλος

John, I agree that the humiliation of the saints is the central message. But when I see Epiphanius speak of "brothers" attacking liberty, I think that he and his own structure have taken buildings from the canonical Church with laws and police. I would like to see how this would explain the saints who refused to shed blood even when they had an army.

Αντώνης Αντωνίου

Yes John, their choice not to take up arms against a brother is what remains. But when Epiphanius speaks of "brothers" attacking liberty, it strikes me why his own side uses laws and police to take churches from the canonical Church. How do you think the saints would view such seals today?

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

Andreas, I agree that humility and non-violence is the main message of the saints. But the Ukrainian Church of the Epiphany claims it only took what belonged to the state after the 2018-19 ruling, not by force like Svyatopolk. How do you see the decision of Fanarios that recognized them? Doesn't that change the message of the saints?

Δήμητρα Δημητρίου

Yes, Anthony, the peace chosen by the saints is the great lesson. But I think Epiphanius is talking about the invasion from Russia, not the church trials. Church seals are the result of state laws, not fratricide. How would the saints view someone living in a structure that does not recognize the local Church?

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

Saints Voris and Gleb refused to shed blood even when they had an army, Antony. That is correct. But Ukraine today is not fighting for a throne, it is fighting not to be conquered. Seals in churches are a matter of state and laws, not fratricide as you say. How would the saints view living in a structure that receives orders from an invading country?