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
UOC starts Easter charity drive to support children of displaced families
The UOC has launched a charity initiative: 2,000 Easter kulichi will be delivered to children from displaced families, to orphans and boarding-school pupils, and to families in front-line regions.
Volodymyr city authorities formalizing transfer of UOC chapel to OCU
During a briefing, the mayor of Volodymyr in Volyn Region reported on the progress of paperwork to transfer the UOC chapel dedicated to St Volodymyr into OCU ownership.
President’s Office head celebrates Purim with Jews
Kyrylo Budanov and his deputy, Iryna Mudra, visited Kyiv’s Jewish community.
OCU delegation hands gifts to Patriarch Bartholomew from Epifaniy Dumenko
An OCU delegation visited the residence of the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the Phanar to congratulate Patriarch Bartholomew on his birthday and deliver gifts.
Middle Eastern Christians face growing threat amid Iran war, advocates warn
A Catholic rights organization says a fresh escalation could push the region’s Christian communities to the brink of disappearance.
German McDonald's removes food from adverts until sunset over Ramadan
In Germany, during the Muslim fast, a fast-food chain hides food images in advertising during the day and shows them only in the evening.