UOC Chancellor: We have no right to push God-entrusted people into schism
Metropolitan Anthony. Photo: facebook.com/MitropolitAntoniy
The UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, declared that neither persecution nor intimidation or repression will give the Church the right to push God-entrusted people into schism. He made this statement in an address published on his YouTube channel.
According to him, there are continuous efforts to destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and they will always find new pretexts for it.
"Now is the time of truth, the time for everyone to decide whom we serve – God or the world, whether we are ready to take up our cross and follow Christ or be among the crowd shouting, 'Crucify Him!'" he said.
Furthermore, the UOC Chancellor cannot engage in the dialogue with the OCU as demanded by the authorities and activists. The bishop is convinced that such dialogue would lead to the UOC ceasing to exist as a canonical Church.
"This is a line we can never cross because behind it lies spiritual destruction. They will not stop until we completely merge with the OCU," the bishop added.
As reported, the UOC Chancellor said that the Ukrainian authorities are ignoring the rights of the largest religious denomination in Ukraine and are waging war against their own citizens.
Read also
Chernivtsi hierarch consecrated the altar of a new church of the persecuted community in Kerstentsi
In Kerstentsi, believers built a new Transfiguration church after the previous one was seized by supporters of the OCU.
Monastic tonsure held at Krasnohorsky All Saints Monastery
Novice Vadym Serkhovets took monastic vows with the name Euthymius.
Over 25,000 faithful pray at Romanian Nicula Monastery on Dormition feast
Thousands of pilgrims walked a 7-kilometer procession to the Nicula Monastery for the feast.
OCU cleric allows attending Uniate churches
OCU cleric Oleksii Filiuk, responding to the question of whether an Orthodox Christian can become a parishioner of a Uniate church, stated that God is one, and one can attend whichever church is closer.
US police detain participants of anti-Islamic demonstration
Police detained protesters following clashes during the "Christian Crusaders March" rally.
Mokrets authorities seek to halt construction of UOC church on private land
After the seizure of the Dormition Church, believers began constructing a new prayer building; however, local authorities are now demanding that the legality of the construction be verified.