Uniate priest hated for words on reconciliation of Ukrainians and Russians
Roman Kurakh says that Ukrainians and Russians are fraternal peoples. Photo: Facebook Sipigina
A scandal arose in Ukraine because of the sermon of the Uzhhorod Uniate priest Roman Kurakh, in which he stated the need for reconciliation between Ukrainians and Russians.
“And we very much ask the Lord to do this miracle: to reconcile these two great peoples – Ukraine and Russia. So that these two beautiful peoples do not collide, do not torture, destroy, and kill each other, Instead, they should build the Kingdom of Heaven already here on earth so that one day, they could enter heaven together, embrace each other and glorify the Lord for all eternity for many and good years,” said the priest.
The recording of the sermon was posted on Facebook by activist, journalist and “producer at BBC News” Daria Sipigina, after which the video was distributed by Ukrainian Telegram channels with millions of audiences.
Sipigina heard the priest's sermon through the loudspeakers in front of the Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral in Uzhhorod, went into the altar with two companions and made a scandal for Kurakh. She also posted a recording of the conversation in the publication.
“You said that Ukrainians and Russians are fraternal peoples, and you are raising your voice at me,” Sipigina says.
“Yes, I am. Because you break into the altar when I am praying and don’t let me take the Holy (Communion – Ed),” the priest replied and added that his brother is fighting in the airborne troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"Do you bless our enemies?" Sipigina asked being indignant.
“I bless, and it was Jesus who said it, not me,” the priest replied and asked what she would like him to say.
“I would like you not to say that,” the activist replied.
Priest Roman Kurakh belongs to the Mukachevo Greek Catholic diocese, which is not part of the UGCC structure being accountable not to the UGCC leader Shevchuk but directly to the Holy See.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Net showed women walking through the altar in a UGCC church.
Read also
OCU explains why beggars are driven away from St. Michael’s Cathedral
A cleric of Dumenko’s structure admitted that beggars are not tolerated at the OCU’s main monastery because of their “high incomes” and the desire not to damage the site’s image before foreign tourists.
UOC Chancellor: Venerable Anthony founded a monastery, not a reserve
Metropolitan Anthony said that the attempt to turn the Lavra into a state preserve is, in essence, an attempt to lock living Orthodoxy behind a door.
Dumenko discusses countering hostile influence in spiritual life with PO head
The heads of the OCU and the Presidential Office touched on state-church relations and “spiritual security” in wartime.
Albanian Primate speaks about ways to resolve OCU problem
Archbishop John is convinced: disagreements between Moscow and Constantinople can only be overcome through love and dialogue, but not through choosing "sides".
National Memory Institute and SBU open exhibition on UGCC liquidation
An exhibition on the repression of the Uniates has opened in the capital, while state officials search for historical parallels with the present day.
OCU "priest" “allows” parishioners to use priest’s cassock for sex games
Ruslan Usmedinsky said that using a priest’s cassock as a prop for role-playing games can strengthen relationships between couples.