The lawyer who defended UOC shrines in Chernihiv forcibly taken to TRC
Lawyer of the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC Oleksandr Shamko. Photo: news.church.ua
On October 5, 2023, military personnel forcibly took lawyer Oleksandr Shamko, who represents the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church), to a territorial military recruitment center (TRC). He had been documenting violations of the law by representatives of the Ministry of Culture during the sealing of the Holy Trinity and Transfiguration Cathedrals and the Yeletskyi Convent in Chernihiv. This information is reported by the Information and Enlightenment Department of the UOC.
The statement emphasizes that "such actions constitute a direct violation of Ukrainian legislation on the legal profession and an attempt to pressure and intimidate the believers of the Chernihiv Eparchy, who are being unlawfully deprived of world-famous Orthodox shrines."
As previously reported, on the morning of October 5, representatives of the National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Ancient Chernihiv," accompanied by law enforcement personnel, blocked the Holy Trinity and Transfiguration Cathedrals and the Yeletskyi Convent. Since February 2023, the reserve has been attempting to evict UOC communities from these shrines, and the Chernihiv Eparchy is challenging these claims in the Regional Economic Court.
Read also
EU officials discuss UOC persecution with experts in Brussels
Two expert–level discussions on the state of religious freedom in Ukraine were held in the EU.
WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples
WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure
Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.
UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination
The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.
UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine
The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.
Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery
For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.