UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: Fr. Vadym Novynskyi’s Facebook page
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church will play a major role in fostering social reconciliation after the war ends, former MP and UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi said in an interview with Strana.
“I believe the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will play an enormous role in achieving consensus within society,” he said. According to Novynskyi, one of the greatest challenges after peace is restored will be reconciling society and preventing internal conflicts.
Fr. Vadym expressed hope that Ukrainians opposed to bloodshed and hostility, including divisions based on language or religion, would unite. He clarified that he envisioned a broad antiwar movement rather than a single political party.
Discussing the UOC’s situation, the protodeacon stressed that no mass exodus of believers to the OCU had occurred. Parish communities remain loyal to their Church and continue holding services even after losing their church buildings.
Fr. Vadym also drew attention to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry’s sermons on love and forgiveness. According to Novynskyi, the Primate urges believers to respond to persecution with prayer and to preserve their humanity.
As the UOJ previously reported, the UOC protodeacon described His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry’s steadfastness as faithfulness to Christ rather than stubbornness. In a message marking the anniversary of the Metropolitan’s enthronement, Novynskyi emphasized the Primate’s responsibility for preserving Church unity.
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