Novynskyi to Carlson: There are daily seizures of UOC temples across Ukraine
Interview of Fr. Vadym Novinsky with Tucker Carlson. Photo: Carlson's YouTube channel
Protodeacon of the UOC and former MP Vadym Novynskyi said in an interview with American journalist and public figure Tucker Carlson about the systemic persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the authorities and daily seizures of Orthodox temples across the country.
“Every day, armed people seize churches, break in, expel priests, beat believers, the elderly, women, and priests,” said Fr. Vadym. According to him, “countless attempts to seize churches” occur daily throughout Ukraine.
The former deputy paid special attention to the fate of church hierarchs: “Our archbishops are being persecuted. Fabricated criminal cases are being initiated against them.”
Fr. Vadym listed specific names: Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, is in prison “on completely false charges”. Metropolitans Theodosiy, Luke, and Anthony are under house arrest.
He separately mentioned Metropolitan Longin, whose monastery is a shelter for more than 600 disabled children: “He is a man of love, and he is still being persecuted – just for being faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
“We pray for the authorities, we pray for Zelensky that at some point they will come to their senses and stop. We sincerely hope that Zelensky will fulfill his promise and restore religious peace. Because 95-97 percent of believers voted for Zelensky as the president of peace and for the cessation of religious hatred in our country,” said the protodeacon.
He appealed to the global Christian community for support: “The communists could not defeat us in the twentieth century because Christ – this is the church, the head of the church is Christ. And we will go through these trials and be purified. And we are very grateful to you and to everyone who does anything for our Church.”
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed in detail the interview of Tucker Carlson with UOC lawyer Robert Amsterdam.
Read also
Man dies shielding child from terrorist’s bullet in Kyiv
A Kyiv janitor gave his life to save a child during an attack in a residential neighborhood.
Constantinople bishop: If the Church loses its Greek spirit, what will remain?
Archbishop Makarios of the Constantinople Church criticized the rector of an Australian parish for conducting half of the service in English.
Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne
Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.
Metropolitan Tychikos' lawyers respond to media accusations
The hierarch's lawyers called the television stories targeted harassment.
EU Court: Hungary's law protecting children from LGBT violates legislation
The European Court ruled that Hungary's ban on promoting LGBT ideology among minors contradicts "EU values".
Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report
The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.