ROC priest banned from priesthood for his “pro-Ukrainian stance”
Priest Dmytro Ostanin. Photo: facebook.com/prest.Dmytro.Ostanin
June 10, 2024 – Priest Dmytro Ostanin of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in Norway was suspended from ministry by Patriarch Kirill due to his pro-Ukrainian stance, according to the Telegram channel Christians Against War!
The channel reported: “Fr. Dmytro Ostanin, a Ukrainian originally from the Dnipropetrovsk region and rector of the Epiphany Parish of the ROC in Bergen, Norway, openly expressed his pro-Ukrainian views and opposed the war in Ukraine. As a result, he was harassed by Russian Z-activists.”
On March 12, 2024, the ROC Synod recalled Fr. Dmytro to the jurisdiction of Patriarch Kirill. On June 7, 2024, he was officially suspended from ministry by order of the Patriarch.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Kirill had also suspended the priest who conducted the funeral service for Alexei Navalny.
Read also
Footage of UOC church seizure in Zabolottia published online
Raiders from the OCU attacked UOC parishioners and then spent half an hour breaking locks under police protection.
Abbot of German monastery supports Metropolitan Longin
Schema-Archimandrite Johannes called to stop the persecution and slander against the bishop.
Yelensky tells head of US Helsinki Commission about anti-church law
The State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) told U.S. representatives about religious freedom in Ukraine.
Abbot of German Monastery: Current turmoil in Orthodoxy is devil's work
Schema-Archimandrite Johannes emphasized that today's divisions in Orthodoxy are explained by the special "attention" of Satan.
UN Secretary-General Spokesman comments on UOC persecution in Ukraine
According to Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, the UN firmly believes in everyone's right to freedom of religion.
Abbot of St Catherine's Monastery on Sinai: the situation is critical
St Catherine's Monastery on Sinai is under threat of closure due to an Egyptian court decision.