Klitschko: I baptized my children in the Lavra, so am I now “pro-Russian”?
Vitali Klitschko and Alexander Usik. Photo: sport.nv.ua
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, in an interview with Channel 5, said that he could not agree with those who accuse the parishioner of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, world boxing champion Alexander Usik, of being unpatriotic.
“I also baptized my children in the Lavra. Can I be described as 'Russian-conscious' for this reason? A lot of things have occured in Ukraine, but our values shouldn't be affected. Ukraine is an independent state. We are building a ‘Russia-free’ country. If a person speaks Russian – they shouldn’t be stigmatized. It’s wrong to label people as wrong," Klitschko said.
In his opinion, Alexander Usik adheres to a pro-Ukrainian position.
“I know he is pro-Ukrainian. I know that he always raises the Ukrainian flag, always represents Ukraine despite the fact that Crimea is now occupied, and any person who has a Ukrainian passport in Crimea is discriminated. He always emphasizes: ‘I am a Crimean, Crimea is Ukraine, I love Ukraine, I am Ukrainian.’ Maybe someone doesn't like the views,” Klitschko summed up.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote how the OCU called Usik's victory a tragedy of the Ukrainian people.
Read also
Several thousand pilgrims are walking in the cross procession from Volhynia to Pochaev
A state media outlet reported 2,000 participants in the UOC cross procession to the Pochaev Lavra.
In Germany, relics of Saint Martin stolen from a Catholic church
In Germany, unknown individuals broke into the Church of Saint Martin, smashed the glass at the altar, and stole the relics of the church's patron saint.
Two Sunday school pupils of the UOC were killed in an airstrike on Sumy
In Sumy, 10-year-old Sofia and 5-year-old Emilia – pupils of the UOC Sunday school – were killed under the rubble of their own home following an airstrike.
Authorities give Moldovan deputy prime minister tour of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi was shown the damaged Dormition Cathedral at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and briefed on plans for its restoration.
Supreme court sends Kremenchuk UOC church “transfer” case back for review
The appellate court will reconsider the case concerning the unlawful re-registration of the Holy Dormition UOC community in Kremenchuk into the OCU structure.
Orthodox chapel miraculously survives wildfire in Greece
A small Orthodox chapel on Crete survived amid land scorched by wildfire, becoming a symbol of hope for local residents.