Skopje, September 13, 2024
mpc.org.mk
Another Local Church has expressed its support for the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is targeted for termination by the Ukrainian state.
The Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric met yesterday and issued a statement condemning the persecution of the Ukrainian faithful:
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric (MOC-OA), at its regular working session held on September 12, 2024, discussed several issues and events related to Church life.
The Synod paid special attention to the situation of the sister Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was administratively abolished by the Ukrainian Parliament with Draft Law 8371, thereby denying millions of believers who worship in that Church their fundamental right to religious affiliation, confession of their faith, and performance of religious services.
The Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric, testifying to the evangelical truth, expresses prayerful support for the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the brother bishops, and its faithful people, praying that the all-merciful Lord will give them strength to persevere and overcome these trials.
At the same time, the Holy Synod prays for the unity of all Local Orthodox Churches that make up the Body of Christ.
The MOC has shown itself a defender of Orthodoxy in Ukraine. In March of last year, its Synod decided “not to concelebrate with the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine until the complete resolution of its status in the fullness of Orthodoxy.”
A number of Orthodox primates and Synods have raised their voices in defense of the persecuted UOC, including His Holiness Patriarch Porifirije of Serbia, His Beatitude Patriarch John of Antioch, the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, the Jerusalem Patriarchate, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
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