UOC is patriotic first and foremost to Christ, priest says

Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi. Photo: Rivne Eparchy

The secretary of the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC, Archpriest Viktor Zemlianyi, called faithfulness to the commandments of Christ the foundation of the Church's true patriotism. In an interview with journalist Tetiana Tsaruk, the cleric emphasized that the UOC unites people of different views for the sake of the salvation of their souls.

"Our Church is patriotic. It is patriotic first and foremost to Christ, to the commandments of God," said Father Viktor. According to him, the Church is the institution that "leads people to salvation" and gives everyone the opportunity to be heard within the community.

The clergyman noted that many believers of the canonical Church are patriots who defend the sovereignty of Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The archpriest cited as an example the host's brother who was killed at the front and was given a funeral service by Archpriest Oleksandr Maksymiuk, who received an order for his son killed at the front.

He also recalled the altar servers of his church who went to war as volunteers. The priest emphasized that these people are patriots both of their state and of their Church.

The cleric called on society to embrace "healthy patriotism," which manifests itself in love for one's neighbor, regardless of their religious affiliation. In Father Viktor's view, "Ukraine will find prosperity as soon as the UOC stops being considered an enemy." The priest emphasized that just as people of different views gather in the Church, united by love for God and neighbor, so it should be in the state as well.

Earlier, an MP stated that parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church often display more patriotism than their critics.

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