Metropolitan of Montenegro: Today the UOC and its Primate are on Golgotha

Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOJ

Woe to those who rejoice in the crimes against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, this is a sign of death for all who do so, said Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral at a sermon in the Cetinje Monastery on July 7, 2023. The sermon of the bishop was published by the press service of the Metropolis.

“Today we prayed for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and for the holy Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, especially for Metropolitan Onuphry, who yesterday was forbidden to enter his residence in the Lavra, who was expelled from there. Besides, the abbot of the Lavra, Vladyka Pavel, has been in custody for more than two months. The most terrible persecutions are underway. There has been no such persecution of the Orthodox since the October Revolution and until today. A terrible persecution of Orthodox Christians, a terrible attack on Orthodoxy!” said the bishop.

He pointed out that all this is happening "in front of the whole world, which is silent about the flagrant injustice of the violation of human rights and religion."

“Who is the most silent, who today, so to speak, is deafeningly silent? It is those who speak the most about the protection of human rights and religion. The entire Western world rejoices and agrees with the removal of holy things, rejoices at their desecration. It's very dangerous. Woe to those who rejoice in such crimes! Believe me, this is a sign of death for everyone who does this,” said Metropolitan Joanikije.

He pointed out that "today the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, who is the pillar of Orthodoxy, is on Golgotha." And we must “remember the current suffering of our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who endure terrible humiliation, the seizure of sanctities and their desecration, cruel treatment and beating of priests, monks and nuns.”

According to the bishop, "the most terrible thing is that most of the world is silently watching these hideous crimes."

He emphasized that “The Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and resurrected by His power and His love, is with those who today suffer in Ukraine according to the justice of God, and that St. John the Baptist, who was beheaded in the justice of God, protects and guides them with his holy prayers."

“And it is clear that they are guided by the supreme law of God because Metropolitan Onuphry and the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, its priests and people only preach love and pour out forgiveness to everyone even in this situation. They do not condemn anyone, they testify to the truth by enduring the greatest humiliation, robberies of churches, bullying and beatings of priests, and persecution of believers,” the bishop said.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the commission of the Ministry of Culture broke the doors to the residence of the Primate of the UOC in the Lavra.

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