Yelensky assures there're almost no conflicts around UOC temples in Ukraine
Larina and Elensky. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi
The head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Yelensky, in an interview with the nun of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) Vassa Larina, made a number of controversial statements regarding the religious situation in the country. In particular, he claimed that there are no divisions based on religious criteria in Ukraine.
“The Russian invaders hoped that Ukraine would be divided along ethnic and religious lines, but this is not the case,” Yelensky assured Larina.
The head of DESS attempted to refute reports of the persecution of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, stating that the law “On the Protection of Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations' Activities” allegedly “does not prohibit the activities of the UOC”.
According to him, incidents around UOC temples are few, and he accused believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of initiating them.
“There were several incidents when people said: 'We cannot be under the subordination of the Moscow Patriarchate and we would like to be part of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine,' while another, smaller part of this church did not want to 'betray' their priest and tried to protect their cathedral. But in 2024, there were no more than six such incidents,” Yelensky assured.
When asked by Larina whether the authorities encourage violence against UOC believers and whether the police assist in the seizure of churches, Yelensky replied: “Absolutely not.”
Speaking about the situation with the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the DESS head stated that the UOC monks are “still in the monastery,” omitting the ongoing legal processes regarding their eviction from the shrine.
He also called the claims of Americans that Zelensky is hostile towards the UOC and Christianity in general “absurd”. According to him, Ukraine “is a beacon of religious freedom”.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Yelensky, there is a high level of faith freedom in Ukraine.
Read also
OCU cleric on community “transfers” from UOC: We will need another 45 years
The statement by a Bukovynian “priest” of the OCU came amid acknowledgments of the low pace of re-registering UOC parishes into the OCU.
Ministry of Culture reinstates Ostapenko as director of Lavra reserve
Kotliarevska was dismissed from the post of director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve.
Serbian Church transfers relics of Jasenovac new martyrs to Croatia
The transfer of the shrine carries special significance for Orthodox believers in Croatia and is connected with the remembrance of the victims of the Jasenovac persecutions.
Archbishop of Albania supports country's accession to European Union
The Primate of the Albanian Church believes that Albania's accession to the European Union will benefit not only the country and its citizens but also Europe itself.
Cyprus Church Synod permits weddings during Nativity Fast
The Sacrament of Marriage is permitted to be performed from the beginning of the Nativity Fast until December 12.
Cherkasy authorities set up surveillance over Orthodox educational institution
The village of Cherniavka became the site of a special operation by law enforcement against an Orthodox gymnasium, where a hidden surveillance camera was installed on a pole.