OCU assures USA of an unprecedented level of religious freedom in Ukraine
Zoria says Ukraine has the highest level of religious freedom. Photo: Voice of America
The spokesperson for the OCU, Eustratiy Zoria, said in an interview with the “Voice of America” channel that Ukraine today has an unprecedented level of religious freedom.
When discussing the visit of members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to the United States, Zoria said that "one of the key questions" Ukrainians were asked in Washington was whether there is religious freedom in Ukraine.
According to Zoria, there is such freedom because the Americans were told about it by AUCCRO members.
"If one denomination or one person said that, yes, there is religious freedom, it could be questioned," Zoria elaborates. “But since "the whole Council of Churches" (about 10 people went to the USA – Ed.) said so, in his opinion, it shows that "Ukraine has never had such a level of religious freedom as independent Ukraine has in all history, in all centuries".
Zoria believes that he has "managed to change the minds of sceptics in the United States" apart from those "who are convinced opponents of Ukraine and use any falsehood to justify their cooperation with the aggressor country".
When asked why Metropolitan Onuphry or someone from the UOC did not come to the US as part of the AUCCRO, Zoria replied that "they did not find it necessary to send a person of the appropriate level of delegation".
Earlier, Zoria, commenting on the empty churches during the "services" of the OCU in the Lavra, stated that the truth is more important than the number of people in churches.
Read also
Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka
A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots
The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.