Abp Theodosios of Sebastia: UOC is experiencing unprecedented persecution

Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia. Photo: Romfea

The hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia, said that the UOC in Ukraine is experiencing unprecedented persecution and called on all Christian Churches of the world to directly support the UOC, reports Romfea.

Archbishop Theodosios urged not to gloss over the attacks on bishops, clergymen, monks and nuns, the looting of holy churches and monasteries, threats to ban a thousand-year-old Church, the oldest Church in Ukraine.

He said that the persecution faced by the legitimate and canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine "should attract the attention of all Christian Churches, charities and human rights organisations, as this kind of harassment is a form of religious persecution."

The Archbishop of Sebastia emphasised that it is necessary to demand that the Kyiv authorities stop the aggressive actions and unacceptable and unjustified persecution of the sister Church.

Archbishop Theodosios also addressed the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: "From Jerusalem, we express our solidarity with the Church of Ukraine, its bishops, priests and people. You are present in our prayers, and we hope that God will protect you in these difficult times when you are persecuted by the system."

As reported, earlier Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia said at a meeting at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with believers from different countries that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is being persecuted by the Ukrainian authorities.

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