Authorities and AUCCRO agree to destroy the UOC
Serhiy Dumenko and Ruslan Stefanchuk in the Verkhovna Rada. Photo: OCU
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said that he received the approval of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations regarding the state's legislative initiatives to ban the UOC. Stefanchuk wrote about this on his Facebook page.
The speaker of the Rada said that he had a “frank conversation” with members of the AUCCRO about a number of bills aimed at ensuring that “the Russian enemy does not sneak into our hearts and souls.” The interlocutors paid special attention to the draft Law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine” (No. 8371).
Stefanchuk received a letter from the AUCCRO, “stating that churches and religious organizations support the consideration in the Ukrainian Parliament and the adoption of this document as a basis. To this end, they all recognize that these relations should be normalized by law.”
The head of the parliament said that "AUCCRO is against the Russian church in Ukraine and everyone is aware that Russia has no right to influence Ukrainian religious organizations."
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Stefanchuk handed over the UOC temple in the Verkhovna Rada to the OCU.
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.