Priests of UOC participate in the exchange of prisoners held in Donbass

On December 27, at 14:00, with the support of the clergy of the UOC, the exchange of prisoners of war near the "Mayorskoe" entry-exit point began in the Donetsk region. However, the protocol service brought with them representatives of the UOC-KP and RCC, which have nothing to do with the exchange of prisoners, writes the Information and Educational Department of the UOC.

The information that the representatives of the UOC-KP and the RCC also came to the exchange was reported on his Facebook page by Archbishop Iona of Obukhov, the abbot of Holy Trinity Iona Monastery.

"I ask for prayers very much for the speedy release of all prisoners! This, as we know, was agreed by Patriarch Kirill and V. Medvedchuk. Arrived in Kharkov, together with His Beatitude, here we are waiting for the President and the released soldiers. Somehow the protocol service brought here representatives of the KP and the RCC, which, as we know, have nothing to do with the exchange of prisoners," the bishop said.

Earlier, Archbishop Clement of Nezhin and Priluki reported that the UOC, taking the most active part in the exchange of prisoners, distances itself from the political component of this process.

The exchange is agreed to be done according to the formula "306/74". Arrangements for exchanges took place through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the active participation of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Read also

MP: Rada to introduce Day of Old Rus fleet’s campaign against Constantinople

Maksym Buzhanskyi announced the preparation of a new list of state and "religious" holidays.

In Israel, synagogues and mosques closed due to military conflict

Israeli authorities have banned mass gatherings, including services during Ramadan and before Purim.

Romanian Patriarchate calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine

The Romanian Orthodox Church has stated the need for urgent solutions to restore peace and called for prayer for those in the world's military conflict zones.

Kyiv City Council deputy: We aim to ensure no UOC communities in Kyiv region

Tytykalo stated that the deputies set the task of "cleansing the Kyiv region of the UOC".

395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report

An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.

GOC opens fundraising drive for Sinai Monastery and Holy Sepulchre Church

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on Greece’s metropolises and parishes to collect donations to support the ancient shrines on Sinai and in Jerusalem.