UOC hierarch explains why church priests oppose their exchange to Russia
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol accompanied another group of refugees. Photo: hramzp.ua
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, in response to a question from journalist Oleksandr Shelest about how he feels about the exchange of UOC priests for soldiers who are being held captive in Russia, said that it is all politics.
"When times were tough, the Church was asked for help. Iryna Vereshchuk (former Vice-Premier, Minister for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine – Ed.) called me and asked me to lead a humanitarian convoy to Mariupol. On March 12, I went, and on March 14, a criminal case for treason was opened against me."
"To agree to the exchange would mean admitting guilt. However, I state in court that I am not guilty," emphasized the UOC hierarch. He also noted that experts who are philologists do not have the qualifications to judge theological terms and therefore cannot assess the guilt of a priest on such grounds.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration thanked Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol for accompanying buses with refugees from Mariupol.
Read also
Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray
After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.
UOC parishioner fined for comments about OCU in Rivne Region
The defendant fully admitted his guilt.
Ministry of Culture attempts to conduct inventory at Pochaiv Lavra
A monastery representative reminded officials that the Lavra fulfills its contractual obligations and uses the property for its intended purpose.
Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office demands seizure of UOC church in Horodyshche
The Cherkasy Regional Economic Court has initiated proceedings upon the prosecutor's lawsuit, with a court hearing already scheduled.
Reserve Director: Relics are exhibits handled by anthropologists
The Chernihiv Reserve's director assured that after the expulsion of the UOC community from the Trinity Cathedral, the relics of the saints have been registered as state property.
Chernihiv official: Nuns are deluded they will stay in convents forever
The director of the Chernihiv Reserve believes that the nuns are illegally residing in the convent and are "propaganda captives".