War and violence are never means used by God in order to achieve a result. They are for the most part machinations of the devil used to achieve unlawful ends. We say “for the most part” because, as is well known, in a few specific cases the Orthodox Church forgives an armed defense against oppression and violence. However, as a rule, peaceful resolution of differences and peaceful cooperation are more pleasing to God and more beneficial to humankind.
War and violence breed hatred and revenge, leading to an endless cycle of evil until opponents completely annihilate each other. For this reason St. Paul exhorts us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). We certainly know that each of us is able to determine our own behavior. However, many people, acting together, form another mode of behavior determined either by some authority or by the most dominant group. Nevertheless, we Christians must never forget the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and the beatitude blessing for the peacemakers. Neither must we forget the continual prayer for peace of the whole world. Christians by conviction are lovers of peace and silence. We are not, however, idle or meddlesome. We adopt all good deeds and learn to assume leadership in these, in accordance with the apostolic exhortation (Titus 3:14). The fact, however, that we wish to lead peaceful and serene lives in a situation of international calm does not imply that we do not participate in the concerns of life. Rather, insofar as it is possible, we do not participate in conflicts, according to the apostolic words: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all” (Rom. 12:18).
—Patriarch Bartholomew, Cosmic Grace, Humble Prayer: The Ecological Vision of the Green Patriarch Bartholomew. Ed. John Chryssavgis. Forward by Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon. 2nd edition(Grand Rapids, MI: William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009), 231.
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