Journalist: Authorities only highlighted UOC Primate's heavenly citizenship

Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOJ

Orthodox journalist and blogger Valentyna Illina commented on the Ukrainian authorities’ decision to revoke the citizenship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on the Telegram channel “We Are with His Beatitude Onuphry.” In her view, this move is an attempt to deprive Ukrainians of their spiritual support.

“The Primate of the Church is not a political position – it is a blessing granted by God,” the journalist emphasized. She noted that a person can be deprived of a passport, residency, or citizenship, but never of the right to stand in the truth. “As the Gospel says: ‘You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free,’” Valentyna reminded.

She stressed that, judging by his life and sermons, Metropolitan Onuphry has never engaged in politics. “He never clung to his position or fought for power. He has always followed Christ,” she said, quoting the Gospel: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”

In Valentyna Illina’s opinion, in light of the fact that the Primate of the UOC was stripped of his citizenship, he now appears all the more clearly as a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom. “And that is the highest honor,” the journalist concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that dozens of videos in support of His Beatitude have been recorded by UOC believers.

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