UOC comments on requirements of National Police to follow Phanar's orders
According to the National Police, the decision of Patriarch of Bartholomew of Constantinople on the temporary suspension of services due to the coronavirus also applies to the UOC. Photo: narodna-pravda.ua
On March 27, 2020, the head of the Synodal Legal Department of the UOC, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov commented on the requirements of the National Police of Ukraine to comply with the decision of Patriarch of Bartholomew of Constantinople, who ordered to suspend services during the coronavirus quarantine.
“In their messages, the National Police, in particular, note: <...> we ask you to comply with the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as set out in the Communiqué of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of 18.03.2020, which says about the suspension of all divine liturgies, church events and rites in all its dioceses around the world to preserve the health and safety of the faithful of the UOC-MP,” reports the website of the UOC Legal Department.
In response, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov recalled that the Church is separate from the state, which means that no state authorities have the right to interfere in its internal life.
“According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the Church is still separated from the state. And neither the police nor any other public authority has the right to interfere in its internal affairs, let alone disseminate the decisions of an official of the Turkish Republic,” stressed the head of the UOC Legal Department.
He also expressed bewilderment over the contents of the Communique of the National Police, because if the OCU really received autocephaly, it itself should make such decisions.
“And here the spokespersons for the police speak about the blessing of Patriarch Bartholomew, which everyone should folllow. So, is the OCU autocephalous or not?” he concluded.
Earlier, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople decided to suspend serving in all churches because of the coronavirus. He sent the corresponding decree to all dioceses of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Read also
Security officers beat and abduct UOC cathedral's altar server
The Volodymyr–Volynskyi Eparchy reported an attack on a church worker near his home.
After his appointment, Ostapenko promises to fight “Russian World” in Lavra
According to the new–old director of the Lavra Reserve, together with the OCU he has “returned the Ukrainian voice to the Lavra.”
OCU cleric on community “transfers” from UOC: We will need another 45 years
The statement by a Bukovynian “priest” of the OCU came amid acknowledgments of the low pace of re-registering UOC parishes into the OCU.
Ministry of Culture reinstates Ostapenko as director of Lavra reserve
Kotliarevska was dismissed from the post of director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve.
Serbian Church transfers relics of Jasenovac new martyrs to Croatia
The transfer of the shrine carries special significance for Orthodox believers in Croatia and is connected with the remembrance of the victims of the Jasenovac persecutions.
Archbishop of Albania supports country's accession to European Union
The Primate of the Albanian Church believes that Albania's accession to the European Union will benefit not only the country and its citizens but also Europe itself.