Politician criticizes OCU cleric for "special support" of TRC

Rector of the church, Pidhaitsi dean of the OCU Petro Fediv. Photo: Facebook of the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU

Ukrainian politician and human rights activist, former people's deputy of the Poroshenko bloc Vitaliy Kupriy published on Facebook a letter received from a resident of Ternopil region, who told about a sermon in the OCU Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Pidhaitsi.

According to the letter's author, OCU cleric Petro Fediv during the service sharply spoke out about citizens evading military service.

As the eyewitness wrote, the Dumenko follower called evasion "a shameful and grave sin," stating that "God himself calls to stand up for the defense of the Motherland." Moreover, according to the letter's author, the sermon contained a call to believers to "reason with" evading relatives and acquaintances, and if necessary – to turn to "authorized bodies."

"It is necessary to teach the loved ones who have strayed from the righteous path, to remind them of sin, and convince them to repent and reform. And if overcoming evil by one's own strength doesn't work, then it is necessary with the help of authorized bodies to save sinners who are losing their souls from trouble. Even against their will!" the published letter conveys the words of the "clergyman."

Vitaliy Kupriy in his commentary noted that obviously such sermons in OCU churches are conducted "probably, thanks to 'special support' of TRC." "They are already trying to convince people through God to inform on each other," he wrote.

As the UOJ wrote, the OCU dismissed a "hierarch" for selling fake clerical certificates to draft dodgers.

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