Head of OCA calls on authorities of Ukraine to respect religious freedom

Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada in Chernivtsi. Photo: news.church.ua

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada expressed his support for the Primate and the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and urged the authorities of Ukraine to respect the freedom of religion in the country and to adhere to international law norms. According to the Information and Education Department of the UOC, he stated this during the Vespers at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi on June 1.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon thanked the Orthodox Ukrainians for their warm welcome. "I sincerely thank Your Beatitude, clergy, and all present here in Chernivtsi for this warm welcome, for your sincere hospitality. And I want to once again confirm my unwavering, fraternal love for you, Your Beatitude, for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and for the entire Ukrainian people," said the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.

He emphasized that he supports Ukrainians in their struggle against Russian aggression and at the same time called on society and the authorities of Ukraine to respect religious freedoms in the country.

"In this regard, we affirm the right and obligation of your beloved country, of Ukraine, to defend itself against unjustified aggression. We also implore the civil authorities of this land to respect religious freedom, due process, and the norms of international law," said the Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

As the UOJ reported, the Primate of the American Church officiated the Vespers in the UOC church in Chernivtsi.

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