Metropolitan Clement: UOC not subject to law on renaming
Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria). Photo: the press service of the Nizhyn Eparchy
On 27 December 2022, the head of the Synodal Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria), said that the law on renaming, which was approved by the CCU, has no relation to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as the Statute states that its centre is in Kyiv, as reported by the Telegram channel “Politika Strany”.
"We have statutory documents. They clearly indicate that the UOC is not governed by any centres abroad, and its administrative centre is in Kyiv. Therefore, this law does not apply to the UOC," the Bishop stressed.
However, he did not rule out pressure on the UOC and the persecution of its clerics due to the current situation in the country.
"Proceeding from those speculations concerning our Church, which we observe both in the mass media and in statements of officials, there is a danger of persecution of the UOC with the use of mechanisms that are far from legal," the UOC hierarch noted.
According to new amendments to Article 12 of the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations," the churches, the administrative centres of which are located in the RF, must indicate this in their names.
As reported, the Constitutional Court recognized the UOC renaming as legal.
Read also
Khust Eparchy honors memory of St. Job of Uholka
A Liturgy is served in Mala Uholka, a birthplace of St. Job of Uholka, on the saint's feast day.
UOC parish in Cologne donates ultrasound machine to Kharkiv region hospital
In Cologne, UOC believers raised funds for an ultrasound machine for the Kehychivka district hospital in the Kharkiv region.
Shevchuk tells Pope Leo of Ukraine's preparations for "another harsh winter"
The head of the UGCC expressed "special gratitude" to the Pope for his phone calls with Putin and Zelensky.
Berlin hierarch comments on Phanar document published by UOJ-USA
Metropolitan Mark called the information about the 2018 "Unification Council" alarming if confirmed, and expressed hope that Patriarch Bartholomew will reconsider his position.
UOC marks Synaxis of All Saints of Volyn Land at Lutsk cathedral
Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil and Kremenets led the Liturgy on the feast day of the Lutsk cathedral of All Saints of the Volyn Land.
SBU detains OCU cleric who organized draft evader's escape for money
In Transcarpathia, law enforcement officers detained a clergyman of the OCU who arranged for a draft evader to be smuggled into Slovakia for $15,000.