"We are Russians, God is with us". Lomachenko with the words "tolerate and justify everyone" caused a stir in Russia

Former world champion in three weight categories Vasyl Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) posted a video on his social media with one of the most famous hierodeacons of the Russian Church, Father Iliodor. In the short clip, the priest is asked what he would wish to all "Instagram visitors".

"We must love everyone, pity everyone, tolerate everyone, justify everyone, and pray for everyone. This is the Christian formula for life... an Orthodox axiom," Iliodor replied.

This post by Lomachenko has caused admiration in the comments of Russians.

I've been watching Vasyl for so long, and I understand only one thing! Thank God! What are such people like this. Without any embellishments and all that. They understand everything. On the other side of us. In a healthy body and spirit. And most importantly, common sense. Not for those, not for these. But for everyone! Good luck and peace to all the locals. I am writing from Moscow! Vasily, health and all the best," "We are Russians, God is with us," the subscribers wrote.

For reference: Iliodor Gayriyants was an associate of Archimandrite Ilya Nozdrin, the confessor of Patriarch Kirill of Russia, who accompanied him on all his trips. Father Iliodor was born in Baku and had been in the Optina Desert since 1989. He died in 2020 at the age of 73.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Lomachenko previously published another appeal of the bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. In his sermon, Metropolitan Longin (Mikhail Zhar) praises the head of the UOC-MP, Onufriy, and calls on his parishioners to pray for the preservation of the UOC.

Prior to that, Lomachenko did not call Russia the aggressor, and also said that it was difficult for him to explain the situation. In addition, the Ukrainian recalled how the war began for him, and later refused to condemn Putin and his decision to send troops to Ukraine.

Vasya also expressed confidence that many Russians do not support the war, noting that he sees no point in appealing to the Kremlin leader, whom he called the commander-in-chief.

On February 24, a Ukrainian lightweight posted an image of a dove with two joined hands painted in the colors of the flags of Ukraine and Russia.

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