Albanian Church stands in defense of the UOC

Archbishop Anastasios during a service. Photo: Albanian Church website

Archbishop Anastasios during a service. Photo: Albanian Church website

The Albanian Orthodox Church issued a statement in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), published on the official AOC website.

The statement emphasizes that "as Christmas approaches, calls for an end to the war in Ukraine are growing stronger."

The Albanian Orthodox Church reiterated the points made in its statement of August 26, 2024: "Persecutions, imprisonments, desecration of holy sites, and confiscation of church and monastic property are cruel acts. These actions become even more egregious when they are enacted by the legislative bodies of democratic countries."

The statement notes that "under the leadership of Metropolitan Onuphry, millions of Ukrainian Orthodox believers, numerous bishops, priests, monks, and nuns – all members of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church – are being persecuted."

"Sharing in the suffering of our persecuted brothers, we fervently pray for an end to the ongoing bloodshed, which has caused pain to the entire Ukrainian population without exception. We also pray for the repeal of this unjust law, the restoration of peace, and the unity of Orthodoxy, so it may continue fulfilling its universal mission," the Albanian Orthodox Church concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Archbishop Anastasios of Albania suggested convening a Pan-Orthodox Council on the situation in Ukraine.

 

 

 

Read also

In Kamianske Eparchy, UOC hierarch consecrates bells for two churches

The lighting was performed by Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kamianske and Tsarychanka.

Cleric of UOC Ovruch Eparchy banned from priesthood for schismatic evasion

Metropolitan Vissarion of Ovruch and Korosten issued a decree imposing a ban on the priestly ministry of Father Vadim Hvozd.

Met. Pavel leads celebrations in honor of St Anastasia of Kyiv

Saint Anastasia founded the Holy Protection (Pokrovsky) Nunnery in 1889.

UOC holds a memorial service for victims of Russian attack on April 24

The residents of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi regions were particularly affected by the nighttime Russian shelling.

April 24 marks one year since the arrest of Metropolitan Arseniy

The Sviatohirsk Lavra published an extensive report on the year their abbot has spent in pre-trial detention.

U.S. establishes Task Force to combat anti-Christian bias

“Protecting Christians from bias means upholding the rule of law and fulfilling the constitutional promise,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi.