Holy Synod states violation of UOC believers’ rights
The meeting of the Holy Synod of the UOC of April 10, 2024. Photo: news.church.ua
On April 10, 2024, the Holy Synod of the UOC announced the violation of the rights of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to the Information and Education Department of the UOC.
The Holy Synod, chaired by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, met at the Holy Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania, Kyiv, to discuss the current state of compliance with the rights to freedom of religion in relation to believers and religious organizations of the UOC.
During the session, the Synod also adopted the text of the Synodal Statement, reflecting the Church's position regarding the violation of the rights to freedom of religion of believers and religious organizations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
In particular, it is emphasised in the Statement that "hierarchs, priests, and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are subjected to criminal prosecution on trumped-up charges. Churches and other property are taken away, and religious communities are unlawfully re-registered into the newly-formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Nearly a thousand and a half churches have already been seized to date. Local self-governments take unlawful decisions to ban the use of property by religious organisations of our Church."
In light of the above, the Synod decided to inform Local Orthodox Churches, foreign countries, and international human rights organizations about this issue.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the first session of the Holy Synod of the UOC this year began in Feofania.
Read also
Norway to ban social media for under-16s
Norwegian authorities intend to require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and ban access for children under 16 in order to safeguard their mental health.
Pashinyan calls on Armenian Church to reform and replace Catholicos
Armenia’s prime minister spoke of taxes for the Armenian Church, accused it of politicization, and proposed reforms, including replacing the Catholicos and increasing state oversight.
DESS registers "Ukrainian Interchurch Council"
The association has received official status and called for protecting the constitutional status of the family from Supreme Court rulings.
Conspiracy by archbishop and mayor against Met Tychikos exposed in Cyprus
The acting mayor of Paphos has testified to police that Archbishop Georgios instructed the former mayor to publicly smear the hierarch in order to conceal financial dealings worth millions of euros.
TRC abducts Archimandrite Rufin, monk of Odesa monastery
The clergyman was reportedly pulled out of a taxi in Odesa and taken to a training center near Kharkiv, where he is said to be now.
Surge in pilgrim numbers recorded on Mount Athos, administrator says
Amid wars and global instability, the number of pilgrims visiting Mount Athos has risen to as many as 1,500 per day, placing strain on monasteries and infrastructure.