OCU campaigner urges Ukraine to “respond” to Turkey for Hagia Sophia

Yaroslava Mishchenko with Sergey (Epiphany) Dumenko. Photo: Facebook page of Mishchenko

The journalist and leader of the project “For One Local Church” Yaroslava Mishchenko called on the Ukrainian authorities to retaliate against Turkey for turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque. She published a post on her Facebook page, in which she suggested three “asymmetric steps”.

First of all, Mishchenko appealed “to all baptized people” with a proposal “to stop going on vacation to Turkey, with relevant information support”.

Secondly, Mishchenko advised to invite Fethullah Gulen, organizer of the failed coup in Turkey,  to Ukraine, in connection with whom earlier the Turkish media accused Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople: “To invite Gulen, if not at the state level, then as a private initiative and to create a series of publications about him.”

The journalist also invited the authorities to recognize the Armenian Genocide, dedicating it to the 85th anniversary of the event, and to prepare publications about this in the media.

“At least we will know there is a response,” Mishchenko concluded.

Earlier, Turkish media accused Patriarch Bartholomew of his complicity in the Turkish coup and links with Gulen.

Read also

OCU parishioners in Kosmach sue each other over December 25 service

An OCU parish in Ivano-Frankivsk Region held no services either on December 25 or on January 7.

Analyst likens Bankova’s case against UOC to Stalin-era repression

Bondarenko said the way the authorities justify pressure on the Church may amount to the rhetoric of the totalitarian era.

Christmas caroling and festive concerts held across UOC eparchies

During the January celebration of the Nativity of Christ, UOC communities across the country sing carols, hold concerts, and organize charitable initiatives.

Primate: God’s law is written in every human heart

During a sermon in Boryspil, His Beatitude reminded the faithful of the meaning of Christmas and the need to live according to God’s commandments.

Media: Transgender-identified inmates sexually assault women in US prisons

Female inmates, who have been interviewed extensively as part of the research on the impact of gender ideology in custodial settings, describe the facility as “a haven for sexual predators who pretend to be transgender.”

Guardian: Bible sales in Britain hit new highs in 2025

Specialists are noting growing interest in Christian texts amid social change and a rethinking of faith’s role in contemporary society.