In Chernivtsi, Yelensky laments about "discrediting" of UOC-banning law

Yelensky talks about the importance of prayer breakfasts. Photo: DESS website

On February 29, 2024, there was a meeting of the Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, with the online participation of the head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and its deputy, Viktor Yelensky and Viktor Voinalovych, respectively.

Yelensky stated that there allegedly exists administrative connection between the UOC and the ROC, which should be severed by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He also assured that there is currently a discrediting campaign against draft law 8371, which "has cost a lot of money".

According to Yelensky, "The UOC-MP should exit the ROC," and then draft law 8371 would not affect it.

"This meets the expectations not only of Ukrainian society but is also a request from many clerics, clergy, and even two metropolitans of this Church," said the head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy.

During the discussion, Yelensky emphasized the importance of prayer breakfasts and talked about a breakfast he attended in the United States. According to him, the breakfast in Washington became "the center of a large number of events aimed at consolidating the Christian community, strengthening its commitment to high values, distinguishing good from evil."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the State Bureau of Investigation had opened a criminal case against the DESS leadership.

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