UOC Chancellor: Ukraine's authorities live as if there is no God

Metropolitan Antony. Photo: Pravlife

The UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Antony (Pakanych) of Boryspil and Brovary, sharply criticized the actions of the Ukrainian authorities towards the church, stating that they "live as if ther is no God".

"What is happening today? Before our eyes, an incredible tragedy is unfolding. The state, calling itself the direct descendant of Kievan Rus' and claiming its historical and cultural heritage, is destroying the foundation of this statehood, laid in the 10th century by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir," said Metropolitan Antony.

According to the UOC Chancellor, “the authorities are systematically destroying the Church — the only one whose history in our land dates back to the Baptism of Rus', thereby severing the direct connection between the modern state and Kyivan Rus', cutting the main thread that ran through ages and epochs, linking and uniting entire generations.”

"What do we see today? Frankly speaking, everything that is happening is true anti-Christianity. One can formally proclaim freedom of conscience and Christian values, but in the face of God, it means nothing," noted the UOC Chancellor, quoting Scripture: "...God knows your hearts, for what is exalted among men is an abomination before God."

Metropolitan Antony warned about the consequences of opposing the Church: "And those who consider the struggle with the Church merely 'compliance with civil law' are gravely mistaken. The struggle with the Church is always a struggle with God".

The Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church also gave a critical assessment of contemporary legislation: “As for today’s laws, there is much to ponder. Attacks on the Church go hand in hand with lawmaking that cannot be called Christian in any way (laws are being passed or prepared that grant greater rights to sexual minorities, legalize ‘medical cannabis,’ casinos, and pornography).”

"A tree is known by its fruit," noted the metropolitan, referring to the Bible: "...For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush".

Metropolitan Antony condemned actions against church shrines: "One cannot affirm Christianity and legislatively indulge sin, legislatively destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, close churches, and stop the Liturgy. The substitution of the Liturgy with profanity: blasphemous performances in the Holy Lavra, a place of prayer for generations of our ancestors, is not Christianity".

In conclusion, the UOC Chancellor said: "Modern politicians behave as if there were no God. But He is. And He sees everything. 'He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.' And in due time, everything will be put in its place and evaluated by descendants".

Earlier, the UOJ wrote tha the UOC Chancellor commented on the reserve's actions with the relics of the Venerable Fathers of the Caves.

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