U.S. politician criticizing UOC persecution to head Trump’s Department
Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump. Photo: Focus
New U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be headed by former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and entrepreneur Elon Musk, reports apnews.
Trump stated that Musk and Ramaswamy would collaborate with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to "implement large-scale structural reforms and create an entrepreneurial approach in government like never before." He added that this move would shock government systems.
Vivek Ramaswamy is known for his statements regarding the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. During a Republican debate in Miami in November 2023, he stated that Ukraine is not a democratic country because it persecutes Christians. "This is really what's happening. They're doing this to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They've banned them. The Ukrainian parliament just did this last week with our dollars' support," Ramaswamy said, urging his fellow debaters to condemn the Ukrainian authorities "for banning Christianity".
It is worth noting that JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President from Donald Trump's team, has repeatedly condemned the Ukrainian government for its persecution of the UOC. In particular, he stated that if the war leads to the destruction of the Christian community in Ukraine, it would be a shame for the USA.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.