Serbian Church Bishops’ Council speaks out in defense of UOC
The Bishops’ Council of the Serbian Church. Photo: Serbian Church press service
On May 19, 2026, the Holy Bishops’ Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church published a press release following its meetings in Belgrade. In the document, the hierarchs assessed the situation in Ukraine, emphasizing the scale of the “suffering of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the hands of the current authorities in Kyiv.”
The hierarchs reviewed reports of church and monastery seizures, unlawful confiscation of Church property, as well as what they described as the systematic persecution of bishops, clergy, and monastics. The statement stresses that faithful of the canonical Church in Ukraine are today deprived of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by international conventions.
“Therefore, the Council, once again and again, raises its voice in defense of its disenfranchised and persecuted Orthodox brethren,” the final document states. The Serbian Church also issued a direct appeal to international institutions, urging them to stop ignoring the situation and respond to “this great injustice.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Daniel also expressed support for the persecuted UOC. The issue of the legal status of UOC communities and the preservation of church property continues to be raised in statements by Local Orthodox Churches, which call for religious disputes to be resolved within the framework of the law and with respect for the rights of believers.
Read also
UOC and Greek Church hierarchs consecrate Kiev Caves saints church on Corfu
Metropolitan Nektarios and UOC bishops consecrated a side chapel of the Venerable Fathers of the Kyiv Caves at the monastery.
Zelensky meets with Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Phanar on October 31.
UOC priest at Lavra explains how to bring Church persecutors to God
A priest at a prayer vigil outside the Lavra urged believers to remain steadfast in their faith and overcome persecution through love and generosity of spirit.
Shevchuk: We reject peace if Ukraine does not regain territories
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church believes peace is impossible if Ukraine is forced to surrender territory.
Zhytomyr Eparchy responds to alleged transfer of two parishes to OCU
The UOC eparchy clarified the circumstances of the "transfers" in Romanivka and Synhaivka, stressing the distinction between a vote by village residents and a decision by a religious community.
OCU posts video disproving its claims to Cherkasy cathedral
OCU representatives released archival footage showing that Dumenko's organization had no role in building the seized UOC cathedral in Cherkasy.