ROC breaks off with Western denominations that recognise LGBT marriages
Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov). Photo: ria.ru
Hieromonk Stefan (Igumnov), secretary for inter-Christian relations of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR MP), said that the Russian Orthodox Church has broken off contacts with Western Christian communities that have recognized same-sex marriage, reports ria.ru.
"Christians in Europe today face a huge challenge to resist the pressure of liberal ideology and attempts to bring a liberal agenda into church life. This is particularly true for Churches which are in one way or another historically affiliated with the state. A number of Protestant congregations in the West have not withstood this test, departing from basic Christian moral principles and legitimising the most liberal phenomena concerning the complete distortion of the traditional understanding of marriage and the family. The Russian Orthodox Church categorically severed all contact with such communities. Life has shown that such communities are no longer capable of returning to traditional practices with regard to family and marriage," Hieromonk Stefan said.
The secretary of the DECR MP noted that examples of such communities include the Lutheran Churches of Sweden and Norway as well as the Episcopal Church in the United States, which belongs to the Anglican family of Churches.
As previously reported, Uganda is about to break with the Anglican Church over LGBT marriages.
Read also
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.