AFU soldier: Patriots should go to the front instead of taking over temples

An AFU soldier. Photo: screenshot of Channel 5

A soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a parishioner of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church told journalists exactly where true patriots should be today.

The soldier, whom the journalists of Channel 5 decided to interview on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, said that as a defender of Ukraine he could not help but speak out against the lawlessness that is happening in relation to the UOC.

He said that at the very beginning of the war he volunteered to go to the front, despite the fact that he had three children at the time. A fourth child was born during the war.

"Do you know why I'm here today? Because when I was on a combat mission, someone pulled at my mother's arms. Where? And please tell me, how can a 'Moskalka', as my mother is called, bring up sons who are fighting for Ukraine?" he asked the Channel 5 journalist.

"It's a 'think-of-it' question," she replied.

The warrior also appealed to Channel 5 viewers who want to fight at the front: "I invite you all to join the Armed Forces. Please go to the military enlistment office, take summons, and do not go to temples and shake our Orthodox people."

"This is my message to you. Because only then will you be reasonable Ukrainians if you fight for the state and not against our Ukrainians exactly like me," said the AFU soldier.

As earlier reported, according to a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we are not only defending the state, we are also defending our Church.

 

Read also

UOC hierarch leads funeral service for Kyiv Eparchy priest killed at front

Metropolitan Augustine conducted the funeral service for Archpriest Viacheslav Lytvynenko, a longtime military chaplain.

Orthodox youth from across Ukraine meet in Kyiv

The UOC meetup brought participants from different eparchies to the capital for live fellowship and dialogue on spiritual topics.

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy choir performs hymn by Patriarch Ilia

The choir of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy performed a sacred work by Patriarch Ilia on the day commemorating his repose.

Metropolitan Shio: Patriarch Ilia II’s love became a source of faith and hope

In Georgia, Metropolitan Shio said in his sermon on the 40th day after Patriarch Ilia II’s repose that his love and ministry became a source of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal for the people.

Orthodox Christians in U.S.: “War on Faith” bill ignores persecution of UOC

The St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Society has accused Congressmen Joe Wilson and Don Bacon of “double standards” in drafting a religious freedom bill concerning Ukraine.

UOC Social Department in Kyiv delivers aid to 100 displaced families

In Kyiv, displaced families received humanitarian aid, food and household packages, as well as Paschal greetings from the UOC Social Department.