Yelensky to EEA head: Critics of Ukrainian freedom of religion work for RF

V. Yelensky at a meeting with J. Wessels. Photo: DESS

On June 23, the Head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky held a meeting with the Secretary General of the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) Jan Wessels, during which they discussed religious freedom in Ukraine. This was reported by the DESS press service.

Yelensky assured Wessels that, "despite the war, Ukraine strives to maintain high standards in the field of religious freedom".

The report stated that "the parties discussed large-scale and well-funded attempts by Russian propagandists, diplomacy, and special services to discredit Ukraine in the international arena as an alleged violator of freedom of conscience and religious human rights". The specific individuals discussed were not mentioned in the report.

"The parties agreed that such attempts are aimed not only at weakening the support of Ukraine by the global European community but also at whitewashing Russia," the DESS press service says.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to Yelensky, the destruction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cannot be considered a violation of religious freedom.

Read also

MP: Rada to introduce Day of Old Rus fleet’s campaign against Constantinople

Maksym Buzhanskyi announced the preparation of a new list of state and "religious" holidays.

In Israel, synagogues and mosques closed due to military conflict

Israeli authorities have banned mass gatherings, including services during Ramadan and before Purim.

Romanian Patriarchate calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine

The Romanian Orthodox Church has stated the need for urgent solutions to restore peace and called for prayer for those in the world's military conflict zones.

Kyiv City Council deputy: We aim to ensure no UOC communities in Kyiv region

Tytykalo stated that the deputies set the task of "cleansing the Kyiv region of the UOC".

395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report

An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.

GOC opens fundraising drive for Sinai Monastery and Holy Sepulchre Church

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on Greece’s metropolises and parishes to collect donations to support the ancient shrines on Sinai and in Jerusalem.