They did so only in fascist camps, – expert about bill No. 5309

According to the director of the Ukrainian Institute for Policy Analysis and Management Ruslan Bortnik, bill No. 5309 is an unprecedented intervention in the affairs of the Church. The bill proposes to make changes to the name of religious organizations whose control centre is located in the country recognized by the Verkhovna Rada as an aggressor state. The political scientist expressed his opinion in an interview with the "The First Cossack" channel.

"The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate – there is no such a name: in Ukraine there is only the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This is the official name of the Church, whose centre is in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra," said Ruslan Bortnik. "The UOC is the largest Church in Ukraine. An attempt to rename it by legislative act is a gross violation of the basic rights of organizations and people to their own name. In addition to self-promotion, this is also a discrediting element: if the Church can be renamed in this way, this will give an opportunity to intensify the attack on the UOC and parishes, strengthen schismatic tendencies and squeeze the Church into margins. But I think that even the current parliament is most likely not to do this. In case it should pass, this decision can easily be appealed in any court, including an international one because it is impossible to deprive people of the right to self-determination. This right in modern history was deprived of only once – in fascist concentration camps people were taken away their name, and instead they were given numbers inked on their hand."

Read also

Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris

Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.

Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit

More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.

Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk

Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.

Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death

The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.

Polish Culture Ministry funds restoration of Armenian cathedral in Lviv

An international project supported by Poland aims to preserve the unique artistic heritage of the Armenian Cathedral in Lviv.

Persecuted UOC parish in Rakiv Lis celebrates patronal feast in new church

The faithful marked the fifth anniversary of the consecration of the church built to replace the one that was seized, as well as its patronal feast, in the Volyn village of Rakiv Lis.