The Ukrainian Orthodox Church—Kyiv Patriarchate condemned the seizure of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church church by supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Odesa

Nikon Grabliuk, head of the Odessa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate, issued an official statement in which he expressed deep concern over the forcible seizure of churches belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in particular – the church dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky in Odesa. The hierarch emphasized that acts of violence against religious buildings are unacceptable and contradict both Christian morality and the principles of the rule of law.

According to the statement, published on the Facebook account of the Odesa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate, the church must remain exclusively a place of prayer and spiritual peace, and not become a venue for hostility. Citing the words from the Holy Scriptures—“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9)—Nikon Hrabliuk called on the parties to the conflict to act strictly within the framework of the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.

In his address, the representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate called on believers to remain calm, avoid provocations, and not to repay evil with evil. He emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedoms, human dignity, and the rule of law, calling on government officials and public figures to resolve all disputes through dialogue, mutual respect, and within the framework of the law.