Capitol rally gives hope persecution of UOC may subside, analyst says

A rally near the Capitol in defense of the UOC. Photo: UOJ

The solidarity action with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, held on December 16 at the US Congress building, could become a turning point in the fate of the UOC, said political scientist Kostiantyn Bondarenko.

According to him, the action was serious in nature: participants communicated directly with congressmen, conveying information about the real situation in the UOC. The video of Metropolitan Arseniy in handcuffs in the courthouse, as well as information about his health condition, caused particular shock among American legislators.

It is noteworthy that Congresswoman from Florida Anna Paulina Luna took an active part in the action. "She is a heavyweight politician: she is among the people from Vice President Vance's team, and in 2023, Trump personally campaigned for her," noted Bondarenko.

The political scientist emphasized that three important events preceded the action. Firstly, JD Vance's statements about the inadmissibility of persecution of the UOC and other religious organizations.“Vance himself is a very religious person and is deeply sensitive to any persecution of the Church,” the expert explained. “Second, Trump’s statement at the UN General Assembly that followers of no religion face as much persecution as Christians, with the situation in Ukraine being a clear illustration of those words. Third, the failed visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States.”

"Against this backdrop, there is serious hope that the persecution of the canonical UOC in Ukraine will cease, especially after the resignation of the main initiator of these persecutions, Andriy Yermak," stated Bondarenko.

The political expert emphasized that American activists and Church representatives managed to once again draw the attention of politicians and the public to this issue. "I can even judge by the fact that yesterday and today I received two requests for interviews on the state of affairs in the church sphere of Ukraine – both from very influential Western publications," reported the expert.

"It seems that the situation around the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is gradually changing – clearly not in the direction that would be desirable from the perspective of Zelensky and his patrons," resumed Konstantin Bondarenko.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the congresswoman urged colleagues not to remain silent when Christians are persecuted.

Read also