Political expert: Pope's arrival in Ukraine to step up UGCC expansion
Vladimir Zelensky and Pope Francis. Photo: twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa
If the head of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) Pope Francis accepts an invitation from Vladimir Zelensky to come to Ukraine to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Independence, the UGCC will seek the maximum benefit from this visit for its expansion in the country, Mikhail Pogrebinsky, a Ukrainian political analyst and strategist said in a comment for the UOJ.
He believes that, despite the significance of the figure of Pope Francis in the world, his visit, if it takes place altogether, will not considerably enhance the influence of the UGCC in Ukraine. “The Greek Catholics would like to try to use this visit for expansion. To be honest, though,ec I do not believe in these prospects,” the expert said. According to Pogrebinsky, the pope did not publicly position himself as an enemy of Orthodoxy, therefore his arrival is unlikely to worsen the attitude of the Ukrainian authorities towards the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
As the UOJ reported, Zelensky invited Pope Francis to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
Read also
Persecuted UOC parish in Chernivtsi celebrates its feast day
A festive divine service in honor of St. Spyridon of Trimythous was held in a parish that remains faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church despite attempts to seize the church.
Bulgarian Church Primate arrives in Istanbul
The first official visit of Patriarch Daniel to the Phanar has begun.
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".