UCCRO delegation making an "advocacy visit" to the USA
UCCRO members in the USA. Photo: UCCRO
Starting from April 28, 2025, a delegation of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) is making an "advocacy visit" to the United States, where they are talking to Americans about religious freedom in Ukraine, as well as the repression of this freedom in Russian-occupied territories, as reported on the UCCRO website.
The delegation includes: Deputy Head of the Baptist Union Pastor Ihor Bandura, Spokesperson for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Ivan (Yevstratii) Zoria, Catholic Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Uniate Bishop Pavlo Khomnytskyi, Evangelical Bishop Anatolii Kozachok, Chief Rabbi of Kyiv Yaakov Dov Blykh, and Head of Jewish Communities Oleksandr Zayets.
These members have met with Ukraine's representative to the UN Kh. Hayovyshyn, the UN Secretary-General's Assistant for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris, Catholic Bishop Robert Brennan, and the Secretary of the Synod of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA Bishop Nektarios.
The UCCRO members called on "representatives of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate not to weaken their voice for truth, justice, and the protection of life in the fourth year of the war."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky thanked UCCRO members "for advocating for Ukraine abroad".
Read also
UOC hierarch leads funeral service for Kyiv Eparchy priest killed at front
Metropolitan Augustine conducted the funeral service for Archpriest Viacheslav Lytvynenko, a longtime military chaplain.
Orthodox youth from across Ukraine meet in Kyiv
The UOC meetup brought participants from different eparchies to the capital for live fellowship and dialogue on spiritual topics.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy choir performs hymn by Patriarch Ilia
The choir of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy performed a sacred work by Patriarch Ilia on the day commemorating his repose.
Metropolitan Shio: Patriarch Ilia II’s love became a source of faith and hope
In Georgia, Metropolitan Shio said in his sermon on the 40th day after Patriarch Ilia II’s repose that his love and ministry became a source of faith, hope, and spiritual renewal for the people.
Orthodox Christians in U.S.: “War on Faith” bill ignores persecution of UOC
The St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Society has accused Congressmen Joe Wilson and Don Bacon of “double standards” in drafting a religious freedom bill concerning Ukraine.
UOC Social Department in Kyiv delivers aid to 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, displaced families received humanitarian aid, food and household packages, as well as Paschal greetings from the UOC Social Department.