“In 2022, Easter as fixed by the Gregorian calendar is on Sunday, April 17 in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, as fixed by the Julian calendar, it comes on Sunday, April 24,” the two church leaders wrote.
“We would ask for a general ceasefire in the conflict between your two countries so as to give Christians in Russia and Ukraine, sisters and brothers in Christ, the opportunity to celebrate Easter in peace and dignity.”
“Such a truce would also be of benefit to all the citizens of both your countries, giving them a respite from the worrying uncertainty about the lives of their loved ones who are either fighting in the conflicts or affected by them.”
Hollerich and Krieger also wrote to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, informing him of their appeal.
In an April 11 letter, they asked Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to support the initiative.
“In doing so you could demonstrate how much importance you attach to giving Christians in Russia and in Ukraine, sisters and brothers in Christ, the necessary respite to enable them to celebrate Easter in peace and dignity,” they wrote.