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
Poland marks 100th anniversary of Lemkos’ return to Orthodoxy
Hierarchs of the Polish Orthodox Church led celebrations in Gorlice marking the 100th anniversary of the Lemkos’ return to the Orthodox faith.
Kyiv Metropolis court hearing postponed again
Kyiv’s Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal postponed the hearing in DESS’s lawsuit against the Kyiv Metropolis until October 7.
Patriarch Theophilos receives Metropolitan of Rivne and eparchy pilgrims
The Patriarch of Jerusalem met with pilgrims from the Rivne Eparchy and gave the faithful his blessing.
UGCC reps gift Pope with embroidered Ukrainian shirt
The UGCC members said it was important to tell the pontiff about Ukrainians who had migrated to Europe because of the war.
“Ancient Kyiv” head complains OCU barred him from capital church
Roman Malenkov said OCU representatives called him a Bolshevik.
Greek theologian voices support for Sviatohirsk Lavra brotherhood
Theologian Michail Maroudis said it is impossible to remain indifferent to the tragedy in Sviatohirsk and called for prayers for the slain monk.