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 monk detained by enlistment officers released

The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy reported that after undergoing a military medical commission, Archimandrite Galaktion (Redei) was released back to his monastery.

Metropolitan Hilarion recounts details of his detention

The metropolitan reconstructed the chronology of events and shared his experience of being held in custody.

Media: OCU complains of personnel crisis

An activist of Dumenko’s structure has acknowledged a shortage of clerics and the reluctance of theological school graduates to be ordained.

Ukraine moves to introduce coordinator for combating antisemitism

The coordinator’s duties will include drafting proposals to improve legislation and cooperating with foreign states.

Tbilisi municipal authorities begin restoration of Sioni Cathedral

The authorities of the Georgian capital plan to complete the restoration work by the end of October this year.

In Slovenia, parishioner shares why she converted from Islam to Orthodoxy

Milica was born into a Muslim family, but after several years of spiritual searching, she was baptized – a path that opened through the Liturgy, prayer, and Christ's love.