His Beatitude on arrival of Phanar head: We expect a new wave of seizures
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry at the annual meeting of the Kyiv Eparchy of the UOC. Photo: news.church.ua
The announced visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine may aggravate the situation with schismatics and threaten with a new wave of provocations and seizures of temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, said this at the annual meeting of the clergy of the Kyiv Eparchy of the UOC, which took place at the Church of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on Monday, December 21, 2020.
“We are worried that Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople is going to visit Ukraine,” His Beatitude noted in his report, the text of which was published by the UOC Information and Education Department. “If this happens, then we should expect an aggravation of the already difficult situation with the Ukrainian schismatics. A new wave of provocations, the seizure of temples, informational pressure and further attempts to discredit the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are possible. "
According to the Primate of the UOC, “Patriarch Bartholomew will come not to give something to Ukraine but to take something from Ukraine”.
“I would like to call on all of you to be ready for such a development of events and, first of all, to be ready spiritually. Armed with prayer, patience and love, defend the purity of the Orthodox faith, defend their Christian principles, which, unfortunately, are neglected by Patriarch Bartholomew and his followers, and defend our shrines. I wish all of us courage and steadfastness in our faith, remembering that God is not in power but in truth,” emphasized His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
Earlier the head of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) said that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is against the arrival of Patriarch Bartholomew in Ukraine.
As reported, Vladimir Zelensky invited Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine. Later, the head of the Phanar announced that he would arrive in August 2021.
Read also
Constantinople hierarch: UOJ engages in propaganda journalism in defense of UOC
Archbishop Elpidophoros accuses the Union of Orthodox Journalists of "Russian propaganda" without providing a single fact.
Phanar’s Archdiocese in U.S. tried to derail meetings held in defense of UOC
A leaked letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros to Patriarch Bartholomew has revealed that while Orthodox Christians were seeking protection for the UOC in Washington, the Phanar was coordinating a campaign to sabotage their meetings with American politicians.
EXCLUSIVE: Abp Elpidophoros’ letter to Pat Bartholomew on defending UOC in US
Archbishop Elpidophoros reports to Patriarch Bartholomew on his efforts to derail actions by Orthodox clergy and faithful in the United States in defense of the UOC.
Zelensky awards chief rabbi "for the defense of the country"
At the celebration of Moshe Asman’s anniversary, representatives of the Presidential Office and the Territorial Defense Forces presented the rabbi with state awards and read out a message from Zelensky.
Gates foundation allocates $1 billion to promote abortion in Africa and Asia
Bill Gates and other private donors will direct funds to organizations seeking to legalize abortion and change laws in countries with traditional values.
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.