The Russian Orthodox Church in Amsterdam said on Saturday that it would split from the Moscow church because of threats it received for its stance against Russia.
The threat to the parish and the clergy was the subject of a special meeting held by the parish of St. Nicholas of Myra in Amsterdam.
The clergy unanimously decided during the meeting that it is no longer possible for them to function within the Moscow Patriarchate and provide a safe environment for the faithful.
The parish said it had asked the Dutch diocese to remove it from the Russian Orthodox Church.
The church wrote that the decision was difficult and painful.
The Istanbul-based branch is seen as a rival to the Russian Orthodox Church, and it asked to join the Constantinople Orthodox Church.
The church did not specify the exact threat to its clergy. According to the Dutch Christian news outlet, the archbishop of the Netherlands paid a visit to the church on March 6 to warn them against speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine.
The day before, the parish clergy wrote on the church's Facebook page that the invasion of Ukraine had caused extreme violence, destruction, and suffering.
The clergy distanced themselves from the head of the Russian Orthodox Church because he blamed Ukraine for the attack.
According to the report, Elisey told them that Russia's foreign affairs ministry was watching their actions and that Kirill's name should be added back into the liturgy.
The Russian Orthodox Church has allied itself with Putin and has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine publicly. According to Agence France-Presse, Kirill called Ukrainian troops "evil forces" and in 2012 called Putin a "miracle of God".
Russian Orthodox priests from all over the world have signed an open letter calling for an end to the invasion.
The life of every person is a priceless and unique gift of God, and therefore we wish the return of both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers to their homes and families safe and sound, the letter said.
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