The Russian community in Canberra is "fragile and conflicted" after the invasion of Ukraine, one of its religious leaders has said.
Father Alexander Morozow of the Orthodox cathedral in Narrabundah said what he called "Putin's war" and the way it is reverberating in his community was "tragic" and "devastating".
Canberrans of Russian origin have a loyalty towards the country where many of their families still live. Some also felt the Russian invasion of Ukraine was simply wrong, the archpriest of the cathedral said.
"Many are proud of their Russian heritage but dismayed at what has occurred in the name of the Russian people by the leadership of the Russian nation," Father Alexander Morozow said.
But there were also torn allegiances which were often stronger among older people. Some still watch Russian television, which pumps out the Kremlin line.
Father Alexander was also dismayed the leaders of the church had not been stronger in their condemnation of the Russian invasion.
He highlighted a petition signed by nearly 300 Russian Orthodox priests calling for an "immediate ceasefire". He said none of the most senior figures were among the signatories.
Father Alexander was speaking personally and not on behalf of any wider group. He said the Orthodox Church originated in Kyiv (as it's spelled, after the Ukrainian pronunciation) so Russia invading Ukraine was like "a child attacking its mother".
"The cradle of Russian Orthodoxy is Kyiv, and so to have a situation where the child is now attacking the mother is devastating," he said.
The Russian Orthodox Church is in two parts, with one headquartered in Russia and the other in New York. What was meant to be temporary division came after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, and the consequent communist atheistic repression of the church. Since the fall of communism, the two parts have moved closer together but retained independence in their activities and decision-making.
In Canberra, other denominations were rallying around the Russian Orthodox Church. Anglicans and Catholics have given moral support.
The Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn has visited the Orthodox St John the Baptist Cathedral, which is just up Canberra Avenue from the Catholic St Christopher's Cathedral in Manuka.
"We're neighbours," Archbishop Christopher Prowse said.
"We're becoming stronger neighbours because of this tragedy, so we pray with your people for these hostilities to cease."
Father Alexander extended an invitation to all to join the Russian Orthodox community for worship in Narrabundah at 9.30am each Sunday.
"People are very welcome to view our beautiful church and to join us in praying for peace. We all pray that it will end quickly and peace is restored but at the moment that is a tall order," he said.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church have been invited to a Catholic service at the Catholic cathedral at 5pm on Monday, April 11.
