(Reuters.) – Russian Orthodox Church leader, whose support for Moscow’s “special army operation” in Ukraine dismayed many Christians, declared on Saturday that he hoped it would quickly end but did not condemn it.

An outdoor Orthodox Easter service was held at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral. On the eve, Kirill sprinkled holy water on loaves decorated with Easter bread (known as Kulichi) and stated that they would be sending many to the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine.

His words were, “God grant, that this Easter gift assists those involved in this difficult struggle to calm their hearts and minds, so that internecine strife stops as soon as it can and peace reigns long-awaited, with which the piety and faith of the people may be strengthened.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported Patriarch Kirill’s support for military intervention in Ukraine. Kirill is an ally and has also made other statements that supported the Russian Orthodox Church.

He spoke on Saturday about reconciliation but did not criticize or question the military campaign.

Kirill who, along with Putin, believes that Russians and Ukrainians are basically one nation, said “May The Lord first of All reconcile our People in Ukraine in Donbas where blood is still being shed.”

“May God heal all the hurts caused by people to the families who lost their breadwinners and the parents of the lost children.”

Support for Russia’s military campaign by the patriarch has upset some in the Russian Orthodox Church and in other churches that are linked with the Moscow Patriarchate. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the conflict.

Russia claims it’s conducting a military special in Ukraine that aims to demilitarize and “denazify” the country. The West and Ukraine reject this pretext as baseless.

Pope Francis, the head of Roman Catholic Church has canceled plans to meet Kirill in June.