Kiev, April 12, 2024
Photo: rubaltic.ru
To date, the schismatics of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” who enjoy the backing of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, have seized well over 1,000 Orthodox churches throughout Ukraine.
The Holy Synod of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church met in Kiev on April 10 under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine. Among their decisions, the hierarchs decided to formally address the other Local Churches and international human rights organizations about the persecution the UOC is facing. They also issued a statement calling on Parliament not to pass the bill that is aimed solely at banning holy Orthodoxy within Ukraine.
And in a video statement summarizing the work of the Synod, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Chancellor of the UOC, stated that to date, about 1,500 churches have been seized, whether through violence or through the courts.
The Synod noted that “bishops, priests and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are being prosecuted for far-fetched reasons. Churches and other property are being taken away, and religious communities are illegally re-registered in favor of the new ‘Orthodox Church of Ukraine,’” the Chancellor said.
“To date, about 1,500 temples have already been captured.”
Nevertheless, the canonical UOC remains the largest religious organization in Ukraine, focused on preaching holy Orthodoxy.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
