UOC hierarch: "Bans" on UOC by local authorities are initiated by Kyiv

Metropolitan Theodosy. Photo: website of the Cherkasy Eparchy

The initiatives to “ban” the UOC by the city, regional and district councils were sent to local deputies from Kyiv,” said Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy in a video message posted on the YouTube channel of the diocese.

“They are given from Kyiv,” says the bishop. “Someone resisted, someone made the decision without resistance.”

According to him, deputies came to the representatives of the UOC and asked them not to worry, saying that these decisions have no legal force.

“We are under pressure,” they said. We will vote like that, don’t be offended by us,” Metropolitan Theodosy conveyed the words of the deputies.

According to the hierarch, this was done to shape public opinion.

“We already understood and knew why this was being done. To say later – look, this is the society’s demand,” says the bishop. This is actually what they say now – look, this is the society’s demand, 80% of city and regional councils voted to ban the UOC. Why not now vote for this ban in the Verkhovna Rada as well?”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the SBU urges to sign an appeal to His Beatitude.

Read also

Congresswoman to Ukrainian ambassador: Imprisoning Christians is never good

Anna Paulina Luna wrote to Stefanishyna that justifying the actions of the Ukrainian authorities against the UOC is not good.

Lavra abbot concelebrates with His Beatitude in Boryspil after long break

On the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Pavel concelebrated with the Primate of the UOC at the Boryspil Cathedral.

The Patriarch of Bulgaria revealed that the issue of the OCU was discussed in Istanbul

According to the head of the BPC, during the visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ukrainian issue was considered with respect for the position of the Bulgarian Church.

Shevchuk to Cherkasy officials: UGCC is on the information war front lines

The head of the UGCC told officials in Cherkasy region that the church has become an important participant in the information war.

Ukraine’s ambassador to U.S. tells congresswoman why authorities target UOC

According to Stefanishyna, the UOC speaks about persecution because it is “linked to Moscow”.

Christmas procession visits UOC churches in Kamianske

A procession with revered shrines is taking place in the city, before which prayers are offered for peace and for the people of Kamianske.