Mobilized priests face pressure in military units – source
Mobilized UOC priests. Photo: Facebook / Valentyna Ilyina
Mobilized priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) are subjected to moral pressure in military units, Orthodox journalist Valentyna Ilyina reported.
She described the situation of Fr. Oleksandr Soltys, rector of the Intercession Church in the village of Peskiv, Rivne region, who was mobilized in early August.
Initially, the priest underwent a military medical commission in the Kostopil district, where, due to heart problems, he was deemed “fit with limitations.” However, he later came under the attention of the Varash military enlistment office.
He spent a week at the Rivne training ground, and on September 7 informed his wife that he was being transferred to Kirovohrad region. After that, he did not make contact for a long time.
“Only the day before yesterday late in the evening, someone called and reported that Father Oleksandr, together with other clergymen, is there in harsh conditions and is being subjected to moral pressure,” Ilyina wrote.
The journalist called for prayerful support, public attention, and legal assistance to protect the priest and safeguard his right to serve God.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that on August 4, in the Sarny eparchy, the enlistment office detained two UOC priests. One of them was Archpriest Hryhorii Bakunets, rector of the Holy Spirit Church in the village of Mokvynski Khutory and father of three underage children. The other was Archpriest Oleksandr Soltys.
Read also
Constantinople hierarch: UOJ engages in propaganda journalism in defense of UOC
Archbishop Elpidophoros accuses the Union of Orthodox Journalists of "Russian propaganda" without providing a single fact.
Phanar’s Archdiocese in U.S. tried to derail meetings held in defense of UOC
A leaked letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros to Patriarch Bartholomew has revealed that while Orthodox Christians were seeking protection for the UOC in Washington, the Phanar was coordinating a campaign to sabotage their meetings with American politicians.
EXCLUSIVE: Abp Elpidophoros’ letter to Pat Bartholomew on defending UOC in US
Archbishop Elpidophoros reports to Patriarch Bartholomew on his efforts to derail actions by Orthodox clergy and faithful in the United States in defense of the UOC.
Zelensky awards chief rabbi "for the defense of the country"
At the celebration of Moshe Asman’s anniversary, representatives of the Presidential Office and the Territorial Defense Forces presented the rabbi with state awards and read out a message from Zelensky.
Gates foundation allocates $1 billion to promote abortion in Africa and Asia
Bill Gates and other private donors will direct funds to organizations seeking to legalize abortion and change laws in countries with traditional values.
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.