Yelensky tells Scandinavian chucrh leaders about efforts to protect faith
A meeting of Yelensky with Church leaders of Scandinavia. Photo: DESS
On October 2, 2025, the head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky held a meeting with the heads and bishops of the Nordic countries' denominations, where he assured that freedom of faith is observed in Ukraine.
The DESS press service clarified that Yelensky "provided a detailed account of the state-church relations in Ukraine, the state's efforts to protect the right to freedom of conscience, and focused on its suppression in temporarily occupied territories".
He "reported on systematic oppression of believers and entire religious associations, destroyed religious buildings, and church closures". Whether Yelensky spoke about similar phenomena in Ukraine was not specified in the message.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that cases were opened against Yelensky for inciting interreligious hatred.
Read also
In Brussels, UCCRO members speak about anti-UOC actions of authorities
UCCRO members justified the state's actions against the UOC, calling them “protection of freedom of religion”.
Priest to authorities: You destroyed Lavra not physically but spiritually long ago
The cleric believes that the authorities are merely creating the illusion of caring for the Ukrainian shrine, exploiting the tragedy for their own PR.
Attempted seizure of UOC church taking place in Odessa
In the Odessa diocese, unknown individuals are attempting to break into the Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky.
Muezzin calls Muslims to prayer for first time in Canadian city
In Canada's Regina, a mosque broadcast the adhan through powerful loudspeakers for the first time, despite the city's prohibition on excessive noise.
Patriarch Bartholomew: Our Church will remain in Istanbul forever
The head of the Constantinople Church met with journalists at the Phanar and spoke about the reopening of the Halki Seminary, war, and the role of the media.
UCCRO delegation in Brussels calls for Ukraine’s accession to EU
During meetings with European experts in Belgium, UCCRO representatives spoke in favor of Ukraine’s swift European integration.