Zaporozhye, Zaporozhye Province, Ukraine, June 20, 2023
Photo: hramzp.ua
The clergy and faithful of the Zaporozhye Diocese of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church reject the call from the local city council for them to “leave the Moscow Patriarchate.”
The city council has been trying for a few months now to force the diocese and its parishes into the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
Recall that the Ukrainian Church separated itself from the Moscow Patriarchate more than a year ago.
In a statement from the diocesan press service, the clergy and faithful inform the local authorities that they know nothing about how the Church works and therefore should stay out of its affairs.
We, clergy and parishioners, faithful children of the Zaporozhye Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, having read the draft decision and the appeal to us of the Deputies of the Zaporozhye City Council, consider it necessary to emphasize that we do not see the point in making excuses or explaining obvious things.
Our conscience before God and people is pure.
We will continue to serve God and people in good faith, work hard, help those in need, and pray for our people and our fatherland.
We are sure that this is the highest manifestation of patriotism. Unlike populist steps, which usually cover up embezzlement of budget funds, corruption and scandals.
Each of the deputies has the opportunity to objectively assess the situation. To do this, you can attend our services and listen to what the sermons say. Or take part in charity projects carried out by the diocese to support our fellow citizens, especially those who suffered as a result of the conflict.
At the same time, we consider external interference in the canonical life of our Church unacceptable. After all, you do not tell, for example, specialists of a nuclear power plant how to manage it, as this can lead to tragic and terrible consequences. A similar thesis is also true for the spiritual sphere, in which you do not understand anything.
You, as elected representatives of the people, should have knowledge in the field of public administration, but since our educational institutions do not teach theological disciplines, the general public does not understand the issues of the canonical structure of the Church well. That is why today we hear such bizarre statements as, for example, “we have a recognized church, which ... is the only canonical legal successor of the Kiev Metropolitanate.”
Changing the canonical structure of the Church is not the same as changing your place of work or residence. The canonical structure of the Church has been created for thousands of years and cannot be transformed in favor of the fleeting circumstances of the present, which, moreover, are mostly unfounded, populist and emotional in nature.
The Kiev Archdiocese now exists and is headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, and does not need any legal successor, since it can perform its duties and exercise its rights.
In addition, in our country, according to the constitution, “no religion can be recognized by the state as mandatory.” If we live in a state governed by the rule of law (which you, the deputies of local authorities, must also guarantee), then the forced involvement of believers in the ranks of the newly formed religious organization “OCU” is unconstitutional and illegal.
It should also be remembered that Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides for the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes, in particular, the freedom to profess one's religion or belief during worship, teaching, performing and observing religious practices and ritual rites, both individually and jointly with others, both in public and in private.
If you support the position that Ukraine’s place is among the EU countries, then as deputies and statesmen, you should implement the fundamental principles of the European Community, First of all, the above-mentioned principle of the right to freedom of conscience, and in domestic life.
Moreover, it is not permissible for the viability of any country to contribute to the violation of its constitution and laws. And you, as representatives of the authorities, should always remember this. And be true patriots, not populists who follow the path of lawlessness and abuse of the fundamental rights of their fellow citizens.
The clergy and faithful of the Zaporozhye Diocese also addressed Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in March concerning his role in the current conflict by siding with the schismatics. And last month, His Eminence Metropolitan Luke of Zaporozhye wrote about how the state is throwing rocks in the face of the Theotokos.
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