Catholicos of All Armenians criticizes UOC ban

His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians

His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians has criticised the Ukrainian authorities for adopting a bill on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, TASS reports.

The Catholicos said that the Armenian Church learnt with concern about the actions of the Verkhovna Rada to ban the UOC.

"The bill on the activities of religious organisations with its provisions will create new undesirable sentiments among believers and will become a reason for neglecting the traditional and sacred church-legal canons of the Church of Christ, as well as violating the unity and harmony of spiritual life in the Orthodox Church," Karekin II said.

He expressed hope that the parliamentarians "will act with awareness of the sanctity of the faith... and with respect for the centuries-old traditions of the Church".

"According to our deep conviction, especially during these difficult trials, it is necessary to keep the Church aside from political processes and not turn the religious factor into an opportunity to sow speculation and contradictions," the Catholicos added.

As reported, MEPs appealed to the EU because of the persecution of the UOC.

Read also

Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.

Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling

Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.

Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral

The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.

4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra

The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.

OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna

In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.

His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit

At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.