MP: UOC ban will not turn away believers from the Church

People's Deputy of Ukraine Anatoliy Burmich. Photo: apostrophe.ua

People's Deputy of Ukraine Anatoliy Burmich. Photo: apostrophe.ua

Ukrainian MP Anatoliy Burmich said in an address published on the Telegram channel "Yevgeniy Shevchenko’s Ukraine" that the Ukrainian Constitution guarantees everyone the right to freedom of religion, and therefore nothing will be able to turn believers away from the UOC.

The MP noted that it is impossible to attribute the actions of individual believers or clerics of the UOC to the entire Church.

According to him, such generalisations of "misdemeanours" were once made only by the Bolsheviks, as well as the Nazis under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.

"The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky, hung, burned, strangled, blew up, imprisoned, but faith as it was, so it is. It only became stronger after that," he said.

Burmich also said that the Ukrainian people have been in the Christian faith for 1,035 years and it is Orthodoxy that is their identification.

"It seems to me that these processes that are initiated by certain forces with regard to the Church, are not quite right and they will not lead to anything good. This should not be done. ...> Everyone can choose the faith they want, but the Constitution guarantees us freedom of religion," he added.

As reported, MP Anatoliy Burmich said that the processes related to the ban on the UOC were "ordered by the forces of Ukraine's senior overseas friends".

UOC hierarch celebrates Liturgy at relics of St. Nicholas in Bari

Archbishop Ambrose of Zghurivka, UOC clergy serving in Italy, and KDAiS students prayed at the myrrh-streaming relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari.

Police pledge increased security at UOC Kyiv Metropolia court hearing

UOC lawyers secured additional police presence following repeated provocations and direct pressure on the legal team outside the courthouse.

“Imperialist”: OCU cleric explains why Hieromartyr Vladimir is not venerated

An OCU representative claimed that Hieromartyr Vladimir supported “imperial policies” and was killed over money rather than for his faith in Christ.

Metropolitan Nektarios: Global system seeks to create “universal religion”

The Greek hierarch warned of the dangers posed by the global system.

OCU supporters stage provocation at soldier’s funeral in Polytsi

Relatives of the fallen soldier demanded that an OCU cleric conduct the funeral service inside a UOC church.

UOC Chancellor on OCU formation report: pressure, fear and suspicion

Metropolitan Anthony says the atmosphere of December 2018 described in the Phanar cleric’s report was the complete opposite of the love and freedom in which the Holy Spirit works.