Expert: UOC believers' activity thwarted possible provocations of Phanar
Political expert Daniil Bogatyrev. Photo: screenshot of the video of the First Cossack youtube channel
The engagement of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in defending their rights in recent months influenced the actions of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during his visit to Ukraine, political analyst Daniil Bogatyrev said on the 1Kozak Youtube channel.
He believes that, not least of all, this is connected with the activity of the "Miriane" public union, which organized prayer standings, made statements and appeals, which allowed the Church to actively voice the problem of the rights violations of UOC parishioners in the media. “In recent months, the "Miriane” organization has been vigorously raising the issue of defending the rights of believers in the UOC in the public space. While earlier this issue was linked to the date of the Baptism of Rus, when traditionally the largest religious procession of the UOC takes place in Ukraine, attended by hundreds of thousands of the UOC flock, now the problem of defending the rights of UOC parishioners is covered by the media almost every week, which is a big breakthrough for the Church," said the political expert.
It is this tendency, according to Bogatyrev, that chained down the head of Phanar in making harsh statements or actions during his visit to Ukraine at the invitation of the secular authorities. “It (the participation of believers of the UOC – Ed.) helped in a certain sense to thwart some provocations that Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople could have arranged taking advantage of his visit to Kyiv. Nevertheless, these provocations, harsh statements, curses and the like were not made against the UOC. Still, the believers of the largest denomination in Ukraine have proved they are united, ready to stand up for their faith and the Church and defend it from any attacks from the authorities, representatives of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and schismatics,” the political analyst concluded.
As the UOJ reported, the trip to Kyiv was a complete fiasco for the head of Phanar, according to the church historian.
Read also
SBU names UOC priest’s wife a suspect in Cherkasy region
The SBU accused Matushka Kateryna Prykotenko of “spreading enemy propaganda” through correspondence with parishioners.
UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature dangerous for clergy
While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.
UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.
Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.
Novynskyi: I quoted the Gospel to Zelensky on first day of war
The former Ukrainian MP said he advised Davyd Arakhamia to begin negotiations with Russia in the first days of the full-scale war and later spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky.