Fylypovych on anti-church law: Reminds me of 1937

Liudmyla Fylypovych. Photo: fakty

Liudmyla Fylypovych. Photo: fakty

Doctor of Philosophy, Professor at the Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Liudmyla Fylypovych, believes that the adoption of bill No. 8371 in its latest version will put an end to the 30-year history of gaining religious freedom in Ukraine. Filipovich made these comments to Radio Svoboda.

"The first reading – that version was very neutral and liberal. Now the bill is very focused on banning the UOC (MP). We could not remove from this second bill the provisions that very much remind us of 1937. You know, the prohibitive strategy. Nationalize, take away, close down...," the expert said.

Liudmyla Fylypovych  expressed her high hopes that "the remnants of the Soviet era and Soviet mentality, the prohibitive demands regarding religious organizations, which will put an end to the 30-year history of gaining religious freedom in Ukraine, will not become a reality."

The religious scholar added that even if the law is passed, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will not disappear, as it is the largest religious organization in the country.

"The prohibition of the activities of one organization or another – especially in the form proposed by this law – will not stop them. Either people will go underground, continue services, and the influence of the leaders who head that church today will persist... We must take into account that this is currently the largest religious structure in Ukraine. And the bill does not provide for how the people who identify with this religion will act," Fylypovych asserts.

As the UOJ previously reported, Liudmyla Fylypovych stated that there are no clear mechanisms for implementing the law banning the UOC, and it will harm Ukraine's image significantly.

Read also

In Dubivtsi, “priest” fails to explain OCU’s canonical status

The “rector” of the seized church in the village of Dubivtsi was unable to explain how the Orthodox Church of Ukraine obtained canonical ordinations.

UOJ in America reports on Orthodox Ukrainians who found refuge in the U.S.

Roman and his wife Ksenia witnessed the burning of the church in Nikopol where they were married. According to Hryhorenko, the church was destroyed by a missile strike.

Jerusalem and Serbia Patriarchs celebrate Liturgy at Holy Sepulchre Church

Patriarch Theophilos and Patriarch Porfirije celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

Monastic tonsures held at Nescheriv Monastery

Riasophore Monk Boniface was tonsured into the mantle, and Novice Alexei became Riasophore Monk Lev.

Orthodox сhurches to hold “Standing of St. Mary” services

The reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is the main feature of this Matins service.

Kyiv City Council сonfirms сurfew will not be shortened for Pascha

The curfew will remain in effect as usual from midnight to 5:00 a.m.