Bartholomew urges to spread truth about religious freedom in Ukraine
UOJ journalists behind bars. Photo: UOJ
On August 13, 2024, during a meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian officials and representatives of the OCU, Patriarch Bartholomew called for spreading the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine, according to the President's Office website.
The delegation, which included Deputy Head of the President's Office Olena Kovalska, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky, and representatives of the OCU, informed the head of the Phanar "about the crimes committed by Russian occupiers against religious freedom in Ukraine."
Patriarch Bartholomew was informed "about the dozens of priests, pastors, and theologians killed by the Russian invaders, and about more than 630 destroyed religious buildings". It is unclear whether the delegation mentioned that the overwhelming majority of the murdered clergy and destroyed churches belonged to the UOC.
In response, Patriarch Bartholomew stated that "the world knows very little about these crimes" and urged "to spread the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine and those who are trying to destroy it".
Previously, the UOJ reported that journalists from our website are being prosecuted for speaking the truth about religious freedom in Ukraine.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.