RCC hierarch: Joint Christmas of UGCC, RCC and PCU is a political statement
Stanislav Shirokoradiuk. Photo: risu.ua
The Roman Catholic bishop of Odesa, Stanislav Shirokoradiuk, has called the joint celebration of Christmas in the new style on 25 December by representatives of the RCC, UGCC, OCU and Protestants "a political statement".
In an interview with German radio Ö1 during the Religion aktuell programme, Shirokoradiuk said that the first joint celebration of Christmas "by Ukraine's Christian Churches is a good sign for the country", which is in the midst of an ongoing difficult military situation.
"Thank God that the Greek Catholic and Orthodox Churches of Ukraine (OCU – Ed.) celebrated Christmas together with Roman Catholics and Protestants this year, which was also a political statement," Stanislav Shirokoradiuk said.
As earlier reported, the Network showed the empty Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during the "Christmas service”.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.