Ovruch authorities demand that UOC priests join the OCU or vacate temples
The deputies of the Ovruch city council demanded that the priests of the UOC in the Ovruch district either get to the OCU or vacate the churches.
Decision No. 1255 of April 27, 2022 “On the appeal of the deputies of the Ovruch City Council to the clergy and parishioners of the UOC parishes operating in the territory of the Ovruch Territorial Community” was published on the website of the Ovruch City Council on April 28, 2022.
The appeal is sustained in an aggressive and accusatory tone. According to the deputies, the UOC allegedly "appropriated the name ‘Ukrainian Orthodox Church’ for itself" and conducts anti-state activities.
According to the appeal, "the decision not to commemorate Patriarch Kirill at the Divine Liturgy does not mean that the structure of this pseudo-church, its leader and a number of its ‘clergymen’ are not collaborators and traitors."
The deputies of the Ovruch City Council expressed regret that not a single UOC priest in the Ovruch region had left the UOC since the outbreak of the war, and called for them to join the OCU.
“In order to consolidate the Ukrainian people, we call on the clergy of the UOC churches in the Ovruch district to withdraw from the Moscow Patriarchate… If you wish to continue serving the Moscow Patriarchate, we demand to vacate the churches that belong to the Ukrainian people. We urge the parishioners of this Church not to support the Moscow Patriarchate,” the Ovruch City Council noted.
As the UOJ reported earlier, the head of the Ovruch diocese turned to the police because of threats to priests.
Read also
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.
Director of Orthodox school writes open letter to "investigator"
Anna Bolhova emphasized that God turns slander and lies directed against Christians into their victory.
In Austria, court recognizes Sharia norms in dispute between Muslims
The Vienna court's decision on the forced enforcement of religious arbitration has provoked a reaction from authorities and demands to legislatively exclude the application of Islamic norms.