Ukrainian singer targeted online for having her son baptized in UOC church

The baptism of Alina Grosu’s son at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi. Photo: Alina Grosu’s Facebook page

A heated debate erupted on social media following the baptism of singer Alina Grosu’s son. The controversy was sparked by the choice of venue for the sacrament – the UOC’s Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi, according to OBOZ.UA.

On her Facebook page, LB.ua Editor-in-Chief Sonya Koshkina expressed outrage that Ukrainians, amid the ongoing war, continue to baptize their children in what she called the “Moscow Church.”

She also criticized the choice of officiating hierarch – Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna, who presided over the baptismal service:

“What must be going on in the minds of adult Ukrainians who, in the fifth year of the full-scale invasion, choose to baptize a child not merely with a Moscow priest, but with one of the leading promoters of the ‘Russian world’?!?”

Koshkina also targeted the child’s godmother, singer Iryna Bilyk, directly addressing her:

“Iryna Bilyk, are you really okay when it comes to critical thinking and understanding reality?”

In response to the accusations, Alina Grosu’s team explained that the cathedral was chosen solely because of family history and tradition, not because of the biography or views of any particular clergyman. The singer’s representatives stressed that most people make such decisions based on faith and custom rather than a detailed study of church jurisdictions.

They also argued that responsibility ultimately lies with the authorities: if there are serious concerns about the activities of the cathedral, then the relevant state bodies should explain why it continues to operate officially.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Meletiy is challenging the decree stripping him of citizenship. He has asked the Cassation Administrative Court to suspend Presidential Order No. 898/2022 as an interim measure while his lawsuit is being considered.

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