Patriarch of Antioch to Metropolitan Onuphry: We see persecution of the UOC with pain

Patriarch John X of Antioch. Photo: pravoslavie.ru

On the official Facebook page of the Patriarchate of Antioch, a message from Patriarch John to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry was published, in which he expressed words of sympathy and support due to the ongoing persecution the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“With joy, bundled with sadness, we embrace you in Christ during these days of Great Lent, as we are preparing for the death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. We are writing to you at this difficult time in the history of the respected Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a time when the words of the holy Apostle Paul are remembered: ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed’ (2 Cor. 4:8-9)," the message says.

Patriarch John notes that although the Church of Antioch is geographically far away, all believers lend a hand to the UOC in this tough time.

“We ceaselessly pray for you and your pastors, imploring the Lord to soon stop this disappointing war and destroy all the threats that your holy Church is facing. May the Lord give you wisdom, strength and the ability to endure, for ‘but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved’,” wrote the head of the Church of Antioch.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Ilia addressed the head of the Phanar in view of the situation around the UOC.

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