Zaporizhzhia Metropolitan comments on MPs' decision to break with UOC

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol. Photo: hramzp.ua

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol on his Telegram channel commented on the decision of Zaporizhzhia City Council deputies to break with the UOC and said that the elected representatives of the people went against their people.

"I want to congratulate all of us on finally seeing the true face of our so-called 'representatives' who voted for an unlawful decision to terminate relations with the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of the UOC. They can talk endlessly about patriotism, use distant-from-reality formulations, and justify themselves by claiming to fight for Ukraine. But it's all a big deception. In fact, these so-called representatives of the people, the 'servants of the people,' went against their own people. They violated their freedom and the inviolable right to profess the faith of their ancestors," said Metropolitan Luke.

According to him, the deputies who voted for this decision excommunicated themselves from the Church.

"The deputies who voted for this decision excommunicated themselves from the Church; they cursed not only themselves but their entire lineage. Well, it's their choice, their human right. Just like Judas, who lost the apostolic blessing but was only in appearance one of the twelve, many of our so-called 'elected representatives' have shown that they are only the de jure voice of their electorate, but de facto, they serve not their political ambitions but fill their pockets at the expense of you, their constituents," added the hierarch of the UOC, urging prayers for the souls of the misguided deputies.

Metropolitan Luke also called on the believers to defend their lawful rights in court.

"I ask you to pray to the Lord for the salvation of the lost souls of the deputies who renounced Christ by voting for the decision to terminate relations with their constituents – the parishioners of our temples. We understand that a person under the power of the devil cannot distinguish between good and evil. I also urge each of you, my dear ones, to take legal action if your rights as faithful people are violated. With my blessing, the temple priests were supposed to enter into agreements with lawyers who can help protect the rights of both the religious community and individual parishioners. I call on everyone not to be disheartened and not to panic, but with a clear mind and a fervent heart, defend our Mother-Church," concluded the hierarch of the UOC.

As a reminder, on July 12, 2023, the deputies of the Zaporizhzhia City Council gathered for an extraordinary session and voted to terminate relations between the Zaporizhzhia City Territorial Community and the UOC.

As previously reported, the city authorities in Zaporizhia severed ties with the UOC.

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