Yelensky discusses religious freedom with Chernivtsi RMA chief
Zaparaniuk and Yelensky. Photo: DESS Facebook page
On March 6, 2025, Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), met with Ruslan Zaparaniuk, head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration (OVA), according to a Facebook post by the DESS press service.
The statement mentioned that "during the meeting, discussions focused on the efforts of religious communities to meet the spiritual needs of the people of Bukovyna during the war, as well as their social, charitable, and cultural activities."
Yelensky informed Zaparaniuk about the progress in implementing the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and about "protecting the constitutional order in the activities of religious organizations."
"In turn, Ruslan Zaparaniuk spoke about the religious and social situation in the region and the specifics of monitoring compliance with freedom of conscience," the statement read. However, no further details about the discussions were provided.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of DESS assured his Romanian counterpart that Ukraine guarantees freedom of religion.
Read also
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.