"We pray that the Lord will free you from this injustice," - the hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate supported the UOC

The hierarch of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia, has sent congratulatory messages to the Primate and hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In it, Archbishop Theodosius expressed words of support to the episcopate, clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, stating that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem remains faithful to support canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine. This is reported by the Communication Service of the Russian Orthodox Church’s DECR.

«The Resurrection teaches us that good will triumph over evil, life will triumph over death. And the One who rose from the dead to save us and bring us into the New Covenant gives us hope and trust, especially in difficult times and circumstances. We are experiencing the crisis in Gaza and demand an end to the war in this holy land. You are in Ukraine and are experiencing a different kind of crisis: your Church is under attack, bishops are being persecuted and imprisoned, there is a threat of liquidation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as the seizure of ancient churches and monasteries in Ukraine», — the hierarch noted.

Archbishop Theodosius emphasized that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and will continue to pray for the «eradication of the forces of evil,» because persecution of the Orthodox Church in one country equates to pressure on Her throughout the world.

«Persecution of any Orthodox Church in this world is persecution of the whole Church, and persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is an attack on the Orthodox Church everywhere. We pray that God will deliver you from this injustice, knowing that you are going through difficult times. Be assured that God is with you, He will not abandon you. We pray at the Holy Sepulchre, where the light of the Resurrection rises, for your strengthening, consolation, protection from visible and invisible enemies», — concluded Archbishop Theodosius.

Earlier we reported that the Antiochian Patriarchate expressed support for the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufryi of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The Holy Synod of the Antiochian Church, held on October 16-21, 2023, called for increased prayer for the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.