Romanian Patriarch condemns seizure of UOC church in Chernivtsi by OCU
Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church Patriarch Daniel. Photo: newsmaker
The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, responded to the situation surrounding the Holy Trinity Church and the burial chapel of the Metropolitans of Bukovina, which belongs to the Romanian-speaking parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Chernivtsi. The city authorities sealed the church and transferred it to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This was reported on the official website of the Romanian Patriarchate.
"The Romanian Patriarchate regretfully and sorrowfully acknowledges that worship in the Romanian language can no longer take place in the chapel of the Metropolitans of Bukovyna, Metropolitans who spoke and served in Romanian, and expresses solidarity with the Orthodox Romanians of Chernivtsi who demand the restoration of Romanian-language services in this historic chapel," the statement reads.
Patriarch Daniel emphasized that although the Romanian clergy and faithful in Chernivtsi Oblast are not members of the Romanian Orthodox Church but belong to another Orthodox Church, "we cannot remain indifferent to the confiscation of a symbol of Romanian identity by the authorities, with various administrative justifications, and to the violation of the religious freedom of Romanian Orthodox Christians."
"As a result, together with the Romanian organizations that have reached out to us, we request support not only from the Ukrainian authorities but also from the Romanian authorities, so that Romanians can freely pray in their own language and join the Romanian Orthodox Church if they wish to do so," added the Romanian Patriarch.
As previously reported by UOJ, the National Council of Romanians in Ukraine called for action regarding the transfer of the UOC's Romanian community church to the OCU.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.