UOC priest: There is no justification for today's persecution of the faith

Fr. Georgy Boyko. Photo: a video screenshot of the Telegram channel KozakTv1

The rector of the Intercession Church of the UOC in the village of Novi Petrivtsi in the Kyiv region, Fr. Georgy Boyko, said in an interview published on the Telegram channel KozakTv1 that there is no justification for today’s persecutions of faith by Ukrainian authorities.

According to him, Ukraine is experiencing a repetition of the historical era when the Soviet authorities were engaged in Church repressions.

"Unfortunately, it is happening again today. Only now, they have different faces and different masks. Today's oppression and persecution have no justification. It is hard to justify atheists, but they did not believe in God. Today, it seems there are no atheists. Those who stand in churches, who wear vestments and call themselves 'different Churches' are persecutors," Fr Georgy said.

The priest also reminded that a few years ago, Volodymyr Zelensky promised not to interfere in interfaith issues, referring to them as matters of the soul.

"If the President remembered those words, those in power who make decisions would hardly decide to ban the UOC," he added.

As reported, an American human rights activist said he was shocked by the criminal cases against the UOC hierarchs.

 

Read also

Georgian Patriarch Shio to Visit the Phanar

Patriarch Shio's visit to the Phanar is scheduled for September 2026.

Ukrainian film festival to be held at St Sophia of Kyiv

The St Sophia of Kyiv National Reserve will host film screenings, exhibitions, and discussions on the war, veterans, and “cultural genocide.”

A memorial plaque to a Kabbalist rabbi was unveiled at a Kyiv detention center

An entire room in the detention center was allocated for the rabbi's memorial plaque.

Swedish lawmakers urge to shut down mosques spreading Islamist propaganda

The Sweden Democrats are calling for mosques that promote radical ideology to be closed, their funding cut off, and Islamists deported.

BOC theologian comments on suspension of cleric who concelebrated with OCU

Theologian Valentin Velchev noted that the Bulgarian cleric had previously concelebrated with OCU representatives despite Patriarch Daniel's prohibition.

Kyiv Patriarchate elects former OCU cleric as 'bishop'

The former OCU cleric was received into the Kyiv Patriarchate together with his parish.