Minsk, October 30, 2025
Photo: church.by
The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church issued a statement on Tuesday expressing deep concern over ongoing persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and calling on faithful in Belarus to join in prayer and fasting on October 29-30.
The statement comes as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church faces a critical court hearing that could result in the termination of the Kiev Metropolia’s activities. His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, the administrator of the UOC, has called on believers to observe strict fasting and intensified prayer during the court proceedings.
The Holy Dormition-Pochaev Lavra made a similar call earlier this month.
The Belarusian Synod’s statement reads:
Statement of the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate regarding the ongoing persecution of hierarchs, clergy, monastics and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church receives news of the continuing and intensifying persecution of hierarchs, clergy, monastics and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with deep sorrow.
The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church has repeatedly stated on behalf of Orthodox believers of the Republic of Belarus the universal concern regarding the situation of the canonical Orthodox Church on the territory of Ukraine. But unfortunately, at the present time we note with great pain and anxiety that unlawful actions against the only canonical Orthodox Church in the country continue.
Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, administrator of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has called on believers to intensify prayer and observe strict fasting on October 29 and 30. On these days a court hearing will take place, the ultimate goal of which is to terminate the activities of the Kiev Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his appeal, the hierarch noted that from a human perspective, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has no one to expect help from, but believers must place their hope in God. The present trials should not frighten, but on the contrary, should be a reason to intensify prayer and humbly accept God's will. The Metropolitan also drew attention to the symbolism of the hearing date, which coincides with the feast of the Deliverer Icon of the Mother of God. His Eminence expressed faith that the Most Holy Theotokos will hear the prayers of believers and protect them.
With love and pain empathizing with our neighbors and brothers in faith, we call on the faithful children of the Belarusian Orthodox Church to support them with fervent prayer and fasting in these days.
May the Lord help all His faithful children through the prayers of the Most Pure Lady the Theotokos, the synaxis of saints of the Kiev Caves, and the ascetics, New Martyrs and Confessors of our Church!
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