Yelensky discusses processes around UOC with reps of Church of America

Viktor Yelensky and representatives of the Orthodox Church in America. Photo: facebook.com/dess.gov.ua

On 18 August 2023, the head of the State Service for Religion and Ethnopolitics (DESS), Viktor Yelensky, met with representatives of the Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, the Chancellor of the OCA, and Archpriest Nazariy Polataiko, reports DESS on its Facebook.

According to the DESS, "During the meeting, there was a frank conversation about the situation in world Orthodoxy in general and in Orthodoxy in Ukraine – in particular."

"There was a sincere exchange of views on the challenges facing the Orthodox Churches in the context of the Moscow Patriarchate's unconditional legitimisation of the aggressive Russian invasion; Patriarch Kirill's attempts to form his own version of the 'theology of war', which defiantly contradicts the Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, as well as elementary norms of human morality," wrote Yelensky.

Representatives of the OCA noted that their Church "condemns the war waged by Russia against Ukraine, is deeply indignant at the destruction caused by the occupiers, including to Orthodox churches and monasteries, and wishes the people of Ukraine a speedy and just peace".

Particular attention, according to the DESS report, "was paid to the processes taking place in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, its relations with Ukrainian society and the Ukrainian state".

As earlier reported, American journalist Tucker Carlson said that the Ukrainian authorities' persecution of the UOC is a barbaric thing.

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