ECAV Bishop Peter Mihoč. (source: Archive of the Bishop’s Office of the Eastern District of the Lutheran Church (ECAV). )
Peter Mihoč, bishop of the Lutheran Church of Slovakia’s eastern district, expected his Christmas sermon to resonate with the faithful watching on television and listening in the church. What he did not anticipate was becoming an unlikely social media sensation, thanks to a Slovak satirical social media page.
Preaching at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Prešov on Christmas Day, Mihoč’s 20-minute sermon struck a chord far beyond the pews. A 90-second clip of his speech garnered nearly 650,000 views on Instagram and even more views on Facebook.
“Like the biblical Joseph, we’re living in challenging times,” Mihoč said in his sermon. “When we see the powerful of the world seeking greatness through violence and intimidation, prioritising their own ambitions over serving others, today’s Christmas situation bears many similarities to Bethlehem’s.”
The bishop was unflinching in his critique. Without naming names, he also appeared to reference Moscow-leaning Prime Minister Robert Fico and his government.
“Our domestic political stage offers examples of leaders who, instead of responsibility and constructive solutions, often choose manipulation and polarisation,” he said. “Without respect for truth and life, they shamelessly bow to power that fundamentally violates the values of humanity and justice.”
Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before Christmas. In recent weeks, Fico clashed with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky over the issue of Russian gas transit, which Ukraine—Slovakia’s eastern neighbour—halted on January 1, 2025, after refusing to extend its agreement with Russia.
Slovakia, which until recently served as a transit country for Russian gas, has secured enough supplies for 2025. However, Fico remains focused on the purported loss of half a billion euros in transit fees, seemingly overlooking the ongoing human toll of the war initiated by Putin.
Mihoč’s words reflect the Lutheran Church’s clear stance on the war in Ukraine, a conflict close to his heart. He has coordinated humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees and families in war-torn areas and in Slovakia, overseeing projects like Boxes of Blessing, which provides food supplies for those in need.
While many praised his courage, others accused him of politicising the pulpit. Mihoč defended his approach: “The church does not exist in a vacuum. We cannot close ourselves in a church where the message lacks relevance for society.”
As his term as bishop ends next year, Mihoč remains modest about his latest sermon. “I don't feel brave,” he told the eastern Slovak news website Korzár. “True bravery belongs to those beyond our borders, defending freedom on the front lines—not just for Ukraine but for us all.”
