Simion, Marian G.2024-10-302024-10-302024-01Simion, M.G., 2024, ‘Orthodox justification of collective violence: An epistemological and systematic framework’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 80(1), a8513. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i1.8513.2072-8050 (online)0259-9422 (print)10.4102/hts.v80i1.8513http://hdl.handle.net/2263/98828DATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.Using a religious studies methodology, this paper offers a detailed contextual mapping and a structural configuration of how collective violence is justified in Orthodox Christianity. The research design is explanatory, whereby the functional perspectives of doctrine, ethics and worship are all investigated and probed as phenomena of lived religion and orthopraxy. While predominantly initiatory and pedagogical, the paper also proposes a systematic platform for advanced research on this subject, by flagging contexts, themes and areas of inquiry that a researcher might examine in order to untangle the inner workings of the justification of violence in the mind of the Orthodox. Given the ongoing Russian War on Ukraine, relevant samples are drawn from this case. CONTRIBUTION: This paper outlines the Orthodox Christian justification of violence from the perspectives of doctrine, ethics and ritual and identifies pivotal areas of ambiguity between orthodoxy and orthopraxy.en© 2024. The Author. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.CatechismDoctrineEthicsJust warPatriarch Kirill of MoscowOrthodox ChristianityRussian War on UkraineCollective violenceWorshipSDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle