Ex-speaker of UOC reneges on the Church to become pagan?
The first minute of the video plot features a scene where he initially puts on ecclesiastical robes but then takes them off as a sign of denial claiming that after 25 years in faith he leaves the Church which does not give him right answers.
Among the questions “the Church does not answer” there is one “what was real Jesus like?”, “what is the true sense of religious holidays?” According to the authors of the project, real God “is not as he is portrayed” – there are a lot of pagan elements in Christianity having survived up to the present day. One of the examples of pagan “rudiments” in the program is an element taken from the Baptism Sacrament and symbols on the walls of St. Sophia.
Pagans were a developed civilization rather than savage worshipers of idols who “used democratic rights and freedoms,” the program states. According to the host, Prince Vladimir baptized Rus solely because it “consolidated the state” and opened “external political horizons.”
The Nativity of Christ was celebrated by Christians on the winter solstice, since “for an ancient folk this period was special – the daylight began to increase which meant a new beginning and revival of mice and men,” claimed Georgiy Kovalenko.
Read also
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.
Jehovah’s witness pastor sentenced in Lviv region for refusing TRC service
A court in Lviv region sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness pastor to five years in prison for unauthorized absence from his unit and for refusing to serve as a TRC cook.
Orthodox Church in America raises $700,000 for Ukrainians in Poland
An OCA representative met with Metropolitan Sava and discussed humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.