Metropolitan Anthony: Our people will defend their temples

UOC Chancellor Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary

Believers of the UOC will defend their shrines. This was stated by the Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Borispol and Brovary in an interview with RBK-Ukraine.

Vladyka Anthony, referring to his own sources, said that the Ministry of Culture had already received a directive to prepare all documents for the registration of a new church structure.

"Besides, some nationalist groups were instructed on October 14 to undertake provocations in the Kiev-Pechersk and Pochaev Lavras," the hierarch noted. "Our people will defend their churches. People have been driven to such a situation that they have no other choice. If there is no hope for legal protection, then there is no other option than to defend ourselves."

Metropolitan Anthony noted that the UOC will use all its legal methods to protect its rights.

"We live in a democratic country where at least the right to life is declared on the basis of laws," said Metropolitan Anthony. "And we will use all legal methods. We also have a document called ‘Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the UOC’, according to which in very difficult situations, I will quote, "the Church can appeal to its faithful with a call for peaceful civil disobedience." This is an extreme measure but it is fixed in our social concept, approved by the council of bishops."

His Eminence stressed that in the UOC no one calls for aggression but only warns: "People, God forbid, do not take such a step that can lead to conflicts, serious conflicts."

As reported by the UOJ, the other day head of the UOC KP Filaret met with Alexander Rudnik, Acting Director the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Reserve and demanded the transfer of the19th building of the Lavra to the Kiev Patriarchate. He insisted that this be done soon. Moreover, the demand to take away the Lavra from the UOC already appeared in the format of a petition on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers.

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