The Serbian Orthodox Church spoke in defense of the UOC and condemned the persecution of believers

The Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) has officially expressed its support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), pointing out the systemic oppression of believers and clergy by the current authorities in Kiev. The Council’s final communiqué called the situation around the UOC a massive injustice that requires the immediate attention of the international community.

According to the press service of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the spiritual and geopolitical consequences of modern conflicts were discussed in detail during the sessions of the Council. The hierarchs made a special emphasis on the suffering of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which the SOC recognizes as the only canonical Orthodox structure on the territory of Ukraine. The official press release emphasizes that the actions of the authorities include the seizure of churches, monasteries and property, as well as persecution of bishops and clergy.

The Serbian Orthodox Church notes that believers are actually deprived of basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by international conventions. «The Council raises its voice again and again in defense of the disenfranchised and persecuted Orthodox brothers,» the text of the statement reads. The top leadership of the SOC called on international institutions not to turn a blind eye to what is happening and to take measures to protect human rights and religious freedoms in Ukraine.

We shall remind you that earlier we reported that the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church (PAPC) reiterated its position on the need to resolve the church conflict over the establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the Pan-Orthodox Council.