Only the Church is able to harmonize hostile parties in Ukraine, – expert
"The UOC is necessary for the healing of our society," the publicist believes. “The Church is not a party to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and it does not join any a party to the conflict. Let me remind you that on May 9, 2015, His Beatitude Onufry did not rise in the Verkhovna Rada, when the names of those who died during the military conflict were read there. His press office explained: "There can be no justification for fueling the war, which daily takes the lives of not only military but also defenseless civilians of Ukraine, including children." Why was this great feat of civic courage important? Because the words of His Beatitude were heard in both controlled and uncontrolled territories. And this means our people can expect that in the world of chaos in which Ukraine has plunged, there is an island of calm and faith that one can trust."
The TV presenter stressed that this is not only the position of the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine, but the whole Ecumenical Orthodox Church is against the war.
"Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said in July 2017, "We pray for peace in Ukraine, we pray for the end of the fratricidal war," Pikhovshek recalled. “In the epicenter of the conflict, his pastoral ministry is continued by Vladyka Mitrofan, a member of the Holy Synod of the UOC, Metropolitan of Lugansk and Alchevsk. He said, "Without mutual forgiveness and without the love of Christ, we cannot overcome any disagreements in this war. It is necessary that Donbas ask forgiveness from Kiev, Kiev – from Donbas, and get reconciled in the Spirit of Christ's Love. You can find this phrase naive. But it is clear that the Church will uphold this position. Sooner or later this war will end, and then the work of our Church will be needed, for there is no one else to work on reconciliation."
Read also
WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples
WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure
Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.
UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination
The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.
UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine
The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.
Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery
For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.
Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5
The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.