Primate of Church of Czech Lands and Slovakia expresses support for UOC

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, His Beatitude Metropolitan Rostislav. Photo: RIA Novosti

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Rastislav, Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, spoke in support of the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry. The address of the Primate of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia was published on the DECR UOC website.

His Beatitude noted that the culmination of unjust and unforgivable harassment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the authorities coincided with the fifth week of Lent, when evangelical events are also moving towards the most terrible but also the brightest period - the time of Passion and Resurrection of Christ.

"This persecution, which has been going on for decades and aims to replace the canonical Church with schismatic structures, has intensified significantly since the outbreak of the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and in recent days has taken on the nature of an attempt to liquidate the UOC," the appeal reads.

The Primate of the OCCzLS added that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine proved its apolitical and national character, and despite this, it remained the object of countless attacks and attempts to discredit it. The hate campaign against the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ended the other day with an order for the monastic brethren of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to leave the monastery.

"The modern Calvary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – the persecution of its clergy and mockery of the faithful – will not be forgotten either by God or by history. Human words of support and participation from the Orthodox sister Churches cannot undo all the damage, hurt and wounds inflicted so far. So I turn to God with the words of a prayer from St Basil the Great's Anaphora: "Remember, O Lord, the civil and state authorities. Grant them a secure and lasting peace. Speak well in their hearts about Your Church and about all Your people, so that under their contented rule we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and holiness," with these prayerful words His Beatitude concluded his address.

As reported, the Church of the Czech lands and Slovakia protested against the pressure on the UOC.

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