Albanian Church stands in defense of the UOC
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 Dubivtsi, “priest” fails to explain OCU’s canonical status
The “rector” of the seized church in the village of Dubivtsi was unable to explain how the Orthodox Church of Ukraine obtained canonical ordinations.
UOJ in America reports on Orthodox Ukrainians who found refuge in the U.S.
Roman and his wife Ksenia witnessed the burning of the church in Nikopol where they were married. According to Hryhorenko, the church was destroyed by a missile strike.
Jerusalem and Serbia Patriarchs celebrate Liturgy at Holy Sepulchre Church
Patriarch Theophilos and Patriarch Porfirije celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Monastic tonsures held at Nescheriv Monastery
Riasophore Monk Boniface was tonsured into the mantle, and Novice Alexei became Riasophore Monk Lev.
Orthodox сhurches to hold “Standing of St. Mary” services
The reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is the main feature of this Matins service.
Kyiv City Council сonfirms сurfew will not be shortened for Pascha
The curfew will remain in effect as usual from midnight to 5:00 a.m.