Usyk: What authorities are doing to UOC divides people

Oleksandr Usyk and Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC press service

World boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, in a conversation with pranksters acting on behalf of Polish President Karol Nawrocki, harshly criticized the policy of Ukrainian authorities regarding the Church and stated that the persecution of the UOC is dividing society.

"I am Orthodox myself. In Poland there are both Orthodox and Catholic churches – and this is not a problem. We pray in our churches, but no one gives one church more rights and another fewer. What is happening in Ukraine – this is a blow to our people. People should not be divided," said the boxer.

Usyk emphasized that the problem of religious schism is part of a broader policy that pits Ukrainians against each other.

"We ourselves divide our people into two camps. This is a huge problem. Don't touch people. We should work together, not divide," he added.

When asked by the pranksters whether Usyk is ready to become the next president, he answered affirmatively: "If God gives me a chance, if God sends me a sign, I will go to work for the good of my country."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in 2023 Usyk declared his faithfulness to the UOC and Metropolitan Onuphry.

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