Pan-Orthodox delegation received in Washington, calls on gov’t to protect persecuted UOC

Washington, D.C., November 19, 2025

Photo: uoj.news Photo: uoj.news     

A pan-Orthodox delegation of hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and laity, representing five jurisdictions (OCA, ROCOR, Antioch, Serbian, GOARCH) were received by Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) in Washington yesterday to discuss the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that is being carried out for before the whole world.

The meeting was hosted by the pan-Orthodox Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco and included His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Grace Bishop John Abdalah of Worcester (Antiochian), Fr. David Bozeman representing His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada (OCA), Fr. Vasilije Vranic representing His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America (Serbian), and other concerned Orthodox clergy, monastics, and laity, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.

The Society of St. John explains that in meeting with Rep. Luna, it called the U.S. government to take action to protect the whole of the persecuted Ukrainian Church, with mention of His Eminence Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk in particular:

Our demands were simple: that human rights be respected by the Ukrainian Government - even in the difficult circumstances of the war which has been foisted upon them.

As faithful American citizens, we asked the following of our government:

• The repeal of the anti-UOC law (Law 3894) currently being implemented.

• The liberation of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk and other imprisoned clergy; for medical care to be provided to prisoners in accordance with international norms and the agreements Ukraine herself has signed.

• An end to the impressment of clergy into the armed forces; that those serving would be taken out of combattant roles and placed in support roles (such as chaplains or medic - in accordance with international norms).

We *did not* and will not advocate for a cessation of military funding to Ukraine. We simply request that mechanisms be put in place to ensure no foreign funding is used for the persecution of Christians.

On the eve of the meeting, The Hill put out a propaganda piece entitled, “White House to meet clergy with ties to pro-war Russian Orthodox Church,” largely based on a letter from Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate concerned Orthodox Christians for connections to Russian intelligence services.

This would, in fact, include the entire Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, which on September 16, 2024 issued a statement condemning the Ukrainian law aimed at banning the UOC.

Rep. Luna responded to Rep. Wilson on X:

Bad take @RepJoeWilson. I just met with a number of orthodox church leaders (not just russian orthodox) that are requesting help because the government of Ukraine is jailing Christians for preaching their faith. They asked you your help and you do this? Do you really think taxpayer dollars should be going towards the persecution of Christians?

The Congresswoman also wrote that she will be hosting Orthodox Christians from around the country with members of Congress in December to continue discussing ways to help the persecuted Ukrainian Church.

Learn more about and register to join this event on the site of the Society of St. John.

Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!

11/19/2025

See also
Greek Metropolitans condemn persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church as silence divides hierarchy Greek Metropolitans condemn persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church as silence divides hierarchy Greek Metropolitans condemn persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church as silence divides hierarchy Greek Metropolitans condemn persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church as silence divides hierarchy
Hundreds of protest messages have flooded the Greek Orthodox publication Vima Orthodoxias following its report on violent seizures of monasteries and churches in Ukraine by forces supporting the Zelensky government and the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.” U.S. Religious Freedom Commission condemns law banning the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church U.S. Religious Freedom Commission condemns law banning the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church U.S. Religious Freedom Commission condemns law banning the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church U.S. Religious Freedom Commission condemns law banning the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church
As the Commission notes, the UN has criticized the Ukrainian law, and in fact, has repeatedly condemned the persecution of the UOC, but while the Ukrainian government talk about its European trajectory, it has ignored these warnings, in favor of banning canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine. For first time since Soviet Union, Ukraine takes ownership of saints’ relics For first time since Soviet Union, Ukraine takes ownership of saints’ relics For first time since Soviet Union, Ukraine takes ownership of saints’ relics For first time since Soviet Union, Ukraine takes ownership of saints’ relics
Repeating the shameful practice of Soviet anti-religious museums, officials are taking holy relics from believers to later decide at their discretion whether or not to allow people to pray to them, and even charge money for it, as entrance to the museum isn’t free.

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×