Yelensky tells head of US Helsinki Commission about anti-church law
Meeting of Viktor Yelensky with Kyle Parker. Photo: DESS
On May 30, 2025, a meeting took place in Kyiv between Viktor Yelensky, Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, and Kyle Parker, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Helsinki Commission. This was reported by the agency’s press service.
According to DESS, the meeting participants discussed processes in the religious sphere, state-church relations, and legislative initiatives "aimed at ensuring the right to a dignified expression of religious feelings". Obviously, this referred to the law that actually bans the UOC.
It was noted that both parties paid special attention to the religious situation in the temporarily uncontrolled territories. In particular, they addressed "persecutions, repression, and restrictions on the activities of believers".
Earlier, the UOJ reported that from May 20, the State Service will begin an inspection of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC for ties with Russia. Yelensky stated that he already considers the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC to be affiliated with the ROC.
Read also
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.