Amsterdam: While UOC soldiers defend Ukraine, their churches are seized
Seizure of the church house of the UOC community in Ladyzhyn. Photo: UOJ collage
Many servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who are believers of the UOC, may lose the opportunity to pray in their faith due to the adoption of Bill No. 8371. This was stated in an interview with telejournalist Tucker Carlson by the head of the law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP, Robert Amsterdam.
The UOC lawyer stressed that many of those currently on the front lines are believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
"Many of the men on the frontline are members of our Church who sit there and watch, day by day, as secret police wearing death masks come and steal their religious home. Imagine how they feel knowing that their parents, their families are losing their places of worship?" Bob Amsterdam asked.
In his opinion, if a new bill 7381, effectively banning the UOC, is passed, they will not even be able to gather to pray.
"Because the churches will be taken away from them, but it may even be a crime for them to meet and pray," he noted.
The human rights defender added that "this unlimited attack on the historical Church is unconscionable."
"I am absolutely heart-broken that American Christians have not taken up this fight," concluded the American lawyer.
As the UOJ reported, Robert Amsterdam stated that the UOC is a patriotic Church, its members are fighting on the frontlines.
Read also
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.
Patronal feast celebrated at Kherson cathedral damaged by shelling
Because of damage caused by Russian shelling, the festal Liturgy on the Day of the Holy Spirit was celebrated for the first time in the lower church of the Kherson Eparchy’s cathedral.
Kremenchuk Eparchy comments on situation around Holy Trinity Cathedral
The UOC emphasized that any disputes regarding the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kremenchuk should be resolved exclusively within the legal framework.
4,000 faithful celebrate patronal feast of Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv Lavra
The celebration of the Day of the Holy Spirit brought together pilgrims from across Ukraine at the skete of Pochaiv Lavra.
OCU supporters prepare to seize UOC church in Kolonshchyna
In a village in Kyiv Region, OCU supporters held what parishioners describe as an unlawful meeting to “transfer” a UOC parish, despite the religious community having already reaffirmed its loyalty to its Church.
His Beatitude officiates at Liturgy in Kyiv on Day of the Holy Spirit
At the church complex dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in Kyiv, the Primate of the UOC celebrated the festal Liturgy and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.