UOC bishop: Whose “father” is Phanar head – raiding victims or invaders?
Archbishop Nikolai. Photo: screenshot of the YouTube channel "Ukrainian News"
Archbishop Nikolai (Pochtovy) of Vasylkiv at the round table "The Basic Law of Ukraine and its Application to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church" noted that Patriarch Bartholomew, who positions himself as the "father" of Ukraine, in reality led to the division of Ukrainians and enmity between themby his actions.
“When I watched the video footage of the seizure of the UOC churches, I had a question. Patriarch Bartholomew claims that he is 'the father of the Ukrainian people'. Well, whose father is he – those who defended their temples or those who attacked these temples? Let him give an answer."
According to the bishop of the UOC, this was caused by the blatant lawless actions of the “Patriarch of Istanbul” in the canonical sphere and the violation of the Constitution by the Ukrainian authorities.
This eventuated in seizures of UOC temples in the villages, affected by church raiding, and enmity between the Ukrainians, says Archbishop Nikolai: “Villagers against villagers. Relatives and neighbors no longer want to know each other now. They used to be friends but became enemies within one village."
As the UOJ reported earlier, the UOC hierarch expalined why believers of the UOC demand that the President of Ukraine revoke an invitaton to the head of Phanar to Ukraine.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.