UGCC head and OCU "priests" vaccinated live

The head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk and other religious leaders vaccinated against COVID live. Photo: a screenshot of the broadcast from the FB page of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine

On March 16, the head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the "archimandrite" of St. Michael’s Monastery of the OCU Lavrenty Zhivchik and representatives of the Jewish communities of Ukraine were vaccinated against COVID live. The broadcast was placed on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Together with religious figures, doctors and the head of the Department for Religions of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Andrey Yurash were publicly vaccinated.

Then a briefing took place, at which, in particular, the head of the UGCC reminded about the absence of religious reasons for refusing vaccination and stressed that it should be voluntary, accessible and “safe, but this is already the competence of doctors, those who certify vaccines in Ukraine”.

"Since the relevant state competent authorities guarantee the safety of certain drugs, obviously, I think, there are no other moral reasons why to make a "yes" or "no" decision," Sviatoslav Shevchuk added.

Note that the public vaccination was carried out using the drug AstraZeneca (Covishield), which countries are refusing one after another due to side effects or low efficacy.

As reported, to date about 20 countries of the world have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine or its individual batches.

Read also

WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples

WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.

In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure

Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.

UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination

The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.

UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine

The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.

Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery

For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.

Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5

The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.