Kiev, September 30, 2025
Met. Anthony, the chancellor of the UOC, called for prayer and fasting ahead of the start of the state’s lawsuit to ban the Kiev Metropolia. Photo: pravlife.info
The chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, has called on believers to observe strict fasting and intensified prayer for the Church on September 29 and today, September 30.
The Metropolitan noted that today the Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal will begin judicial proceedings today on a lawsuit filed by Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, the ultimate goal of which is to ban the activities of the Kiev Metropolia of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reports Prav Life.
“This court isn’t simply a legal procedure, it is, in essence, a trial of the Church of Christ itself. This is terrible lawlessness, this is tyrannical lawlessness, reminiscent of the times of ancient persecutors, when godless forces tried to extinguish the flame of faith. This is an assault on the sacred, this is a spiritual crime before God. This is a cynical trampling of freedom of conscience,” said Metropolitan Anthony.
The UOC administrator called on Christians not to fear or despair, reminding them of the Lord’s words: Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul (Mt. 10:28).
“Perhaps they’ll take away our churches, perhaps they’ll close our monasteries, but the main thing is that we don’t lose ourselves for the Kingdom of God. Our faith isn’t in stone, but in hearts filled with the grace of Christ. We know that Christ is with us. And where Christ is, there is truth, there is life, there is victory. We perceive everything that is happening as God’s will, as God’s providence. For, as St. Isaac the Syrian said, nothing happens without God’s will. If today the Lord permits us these trials, it’s only because of our own sins, because of our indifference, lack of faith and departure from the commandments, because we, unfortunately, did not do everything we should have done as Orthodox Christians,” said Met. Anthony.
The hierarch expressed hope in God’s mercy and called for humbly bowing heads before the Lord and fervently asking for strengthening in faith, protection from enemies and the granting of victory.
He blessed his flock and all people concerned about the fate of the Church to spend September 29 and today in strict fasting and intensified prayer.
“Also on these days it is blessed to perform 12 prostrations with the prayer: ‘Lord our God, we have sinned and transgressed before You, we bring repentance from a contrite heart. Do not allow judges to commit injustice against Your Holy Church, but destroy the evil intentions of those who oppose it. Protect the Church with Your right hand and establish it in peace and truth. Cover us sinners with Your mercy, and have mercy on Your Holy Church,’“ the UOC chancellor said.
The court hearing today begins at 11:40 AM The case was opened based on a lawsuit by the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience against the Kiev Metropolia of the UOC.
The state service intends to achieve through the court the cessation of activities of the religious administrative center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which oversees dioceses, parishes, monasteries, theological schools, brotherhoods and other religious organizations.
By blessing of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the interests of the Kiev Metropolia will be represented by the Law Firm of Fr. Nikita Chekman. The defense team requests prayers and support.
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