Jerusalem hierarch urges international community to stop persecution of UOC

Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia. Photo: Facebook page Voice of the Orthodox Church from Jerusalem

The hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia (Hanna), once again spoke out in defense of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His statement was published on the Facebook page Voice of the Orthodox Church from Jerusalem on September 25, 2025.

The archbishop declared that in recent months, persecution of the UOC in Ukraine has intensified: churches are being seized, clergy arrested, bishops harassed, and pressure exerted on its Primate, Metropolitan Onuphry.

According to him, these actions are aimed at undermining the position of the one canonical Church in the country and at imposing another structure – one that the Church of Jerusalem does not recognize.

“Our recognition belongs only to the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its Primate, Metropolitan Onuphry. We do not recognize any other formation created with the aim of undermining the position of the one legitimate and canonical Church,” the archbishop stressed.

He also stated that he cannot accept the existence of an “alternative church,” since “the historical and ancient Church of Ukraine is known by its monasteries, its temples, its faithful people, its Metropolitan, all its bishops, clergy, monks, and nuns.”

According to him, the appeals for help coming from the bishops of this Church must be heard everywhere – including at the United Nations.

“We express our solidarity with His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and with all the bishops, especially those subjected to direct persecution and unprecedented repression, who have raised a cry for help in all the languages of the world – so that these voices may reach where they must be heard,” the statement says.

The archbishop called on international organizations, including the UN, as well as all Christian Churches worldwide, to demand an end to the persecution of the UOC.

“We appeal to all Christian Churches throughout the world, to human rights organizations and international bodies, with an urgent call to take steps to stop the actions of Zelensky and his government against this Church. These violations and persecutions cannot be tolerated,” the Jerusalem hierarch declared.

He added that in Jerusalem, prayers are being offered at the Holy Sepulchre for Metropolitan Onuphry and for all the faithful suffering for their faith.

“We lift up prayers in Jerusalem, at the Holy Sepulchre, for this confessing and suffering Church, which is under attack from the enemies of the Orthodox faith. The enemies of this Church are the enemies of the entire Universal Orthodox Church,” the archbishop concluded.

As the UOJ previously reported, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia had earlier issued an appeal for the immediate cessation of the persecution of the UOC.

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