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.
Read also
Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church
According to the Minister of Culture, authorities plan to seize 800 churches from the Moldovan Church, but they lack the capability to manage them.
Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv
The appellate court declared invalid the re-registration of the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv.
2,800-year-old seal with biblical symbols found in Israel
Israeli archaeologists have found a stone seal from the era of Judean kings with an inscription in ancient Hebrew.
Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons
The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.
UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary
Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon
Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.