Its like asking Jews to go to Nazi Germany.
Pretty good comparison.
I can see the Patriarch’s point. If they all flee, then the church in that country is going to wither and die. Yet, if they stay, they will be killed anyway.
I think, in that circumstance, if you don’t have any strength to defend yourselves, then your best option is to preserve the church in exile until it is safer to return.
Jews didn’t willingly accept a vow of obedience. Nor did the Jews willingly accept responsibility for serving other Jews.
Instead, these men face an extremely difficult reality. To fully live their vows, they need to return. They need also to shepherd the flock.
It will likely require heroic virtue, which God will certainly provide.