Authorities deny claims that icon gifted to Pope depicts Zelensky
Fragment of the icon gifted to the pope and a photo of Zelensky. Collage: UOJ
The Center for Strategic Studies under the Ministry of Culture has denied the claims made by blogger and journalist Anatoliy Shariy, who alleged that the face of the Christ Child on the icon gifted by Zelensky to Pope Leo resembles childhood photos of Zelensky himself.
According to the Center’s staff, “This icon is about Ukrainian children – those who have suffered because of the war, who were deliberately abducted and deported by Russia, and who are desperately awaited at home.”
“The idea that the icon depicts young Volodymyr Zelensky was deliberately fabricated by Shariy to discredit the Ukrainian authorities,” the Center for Strategic Studies stated, calling Shariy “pro-Russian.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that during his meeting with Pope Leo, Zelensky presented him with an icon painted on wooden boards from an ammunition crate.
Read also
Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery
Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.
Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”
At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.
Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore
An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.
7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan
According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".
Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar
The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.
SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7
The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."