The Hill: Russian Orthodox leader says Ukraine invasion is part of struggle against 'gay parades'

A Russian Orthodox leader suggested last weekend that the country's invasion of Ukraine is part of an ongoing conflict to resist liberal pressure to hold gay pride parades, sparking backlash from other Orthodox churches in the region.

In a sermon on Sunday, Russian Orthodox bishop Kirill, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, ... said that the Donbas separatists were sacrificing themselves for the "fundamental rejection of the so-called values that are offered today by those who claim world power."

Kirill further claimed that liberal forces are presenting a "test for the loyalty" of countries by demanding they hold “gay parades” and join a club of nations with different ideas of freedom, according to the AP.
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Kirill had previously avoided criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, angering Ukrainian Orthodox churches that had remained loyal to the Orthodox leader even with geopolitical complications in their own country...