DECR: Other denominations take advantage of war to divide UOC temples
Head of the OCU Epifaniy Dumenko and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Photo: pomisna.info
Some Christian confessions, taking advantage of the situation in the country, began to divide churches and shrines of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church among themselves, the Department for External Church Relations of the UOC states.
"It is also bitter and offensive to observe how today some Christian denominations, taking advantage of the situation, have already begun to divide among themselves our churches and shrines both in the capital and in the regions. It does not look good, it is not Christian. Now is not the time to divide temples. Now is the time to pray in them intensively. Christians of different denominations in Ukraine today, in these times of troubles of our people, should not do anything that would hurt and harm each other," the DECR stressed.
The UOC also noted that back in May 2022 at the Local Council, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church testified to its full independence:
"These decisions were a reaction to the position of the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate on the war in Ukraine, which we categorically do not share," the DECR said. “<...> Therefore, we would like to expect understanding and support from the state and society, rather than seeking in our documents some statements that allegedly provide grounds for a biased attitude towards the UOC.”
As reported, the UOC said that attempts to ban the Church are destroying the unity of Ukraine.
The UOJ also wrote that since 24 February 2022, the SBU has opened almost 60 criminal cases against representatives of the UOC.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
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.