Alexei [Navalny] was a religious man. . . He went to church, he fasted, even in prison. His policy and beliefs were largely based on Christian values. . . Alexei was sincerely convinced that one should be a good person and not act against one’s conscience; that God is love; that despondency is sin. Even in his letters from prison, he wrote that he had no hatred for his tormentors

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, Russian dissident, video message, 24 February

There can be no religious justification for Russia’s invasion. All those in religious office have a responsibility and duty to call out evil by its name and to work with others for a just and durable peace that provides for the security and flourishing of everyone in Europe

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, X/Twitter, 24 February

Death is the tyrant’s ultimate weapon to terrorise. . . But the promise of resurrection means that God intends to undo whatever the tyrant does. The worst of evil is no match for resurrection, the goodness of God’s power and the power of God’s goodness

Michael Bird, deputy principal of Ridley College, Melbourne, The Times, 24 February

People tell me horrible stuff every single day. They shout at you. They send you terrible messages. They tell you what they think of you particularly when you interview politicians, and it genuinely doesn’t affect me. I know I’m valued by God and that gives me a real sense of perspective. I don’t allow the praise to take me too high, and I don’t allow the rubbish to drag me too low

Dan Walker, radio presenter and news reader, interview, The Times, 22 February

Bishops pay an extra £13 [for car insurance], possibly because of the risk of scratching the paintwork with their crosier, but an archbishop has to stump up an almighty £2227. I wonder if this is because Justin Welby has “Most Rev” before his name and the AI thinks that he is a joyrider?

Patrick Kidd, Diary, The Times, 22 February

We invite readers’ contributions. Quotations have to be from the past few days (or quoted therein), and we need author, source, and date. Please send promptly to: quotes@churchtimes.co.uk