“We demand an immediate end to the persecution against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church” - hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate

The hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Archbishop Theodosius of Sevastia, has demanded that the pressure being exerted on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church be stopped immediately. The hierarch is convinced that not only the Ukrainian government, but also Western political forces are interested in persecution against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The statement of the hierarch was published by the Communication Service of the Russian Orthodox Church’s DECR.

“We pray for Ukraine, for peace and prosperity for its people. We are very saddened by the fact that the unprecedented persecution against the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine, led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, is not abating. The Kiev authorities are persecuting the Church as if their goal is the complete destruction of this ancient Church, rich in history, whose foundation dates back to the beginning of the birth of Christianity in Ukraine. The accomplices and conspirators of these terrible acts against the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine are Western political forces, which are making every possible effort to destroy, put an end to its existence and find an alternative to it. To great regret, all this is happening in close cooperation with well-known church organizations,” — said the hierarch of the Church of Jerusalem.

The hierarch noted the lack of reaction to the persecution against the UOC by the Local Churches and international human rights organizations. Archbishop Theodosius said that there are double standards in the world regarding the protection of human rights.

“It is unfortunate and sad that under the current persecution there is destruction and looting of churches, embezzlement of donations, arrests of bishops and priests, persecution of them and those believers who do not want to change their church affiliation. Unfortunately, today all this is happening before our eyes, and the whole world is watching, but no one is doing anything. Where are all the Christian Churches during these times of the heaviest persecutions, and why do we observe a state of silent indifference in the face of these unjust actions? Where are all the human rights organizations and institutions of our world? Those that claim to care about democracy, respect for freedoms and protection of human rights and even animal rights, but ignore and turn a blind eye to these unjust actions and cruel persecutions against the ancient Orthodox Church, which is the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. We would like to remind all Christian Churches of the world, especially the Orthodox Churches, of their spiritual, religious, ecclesiastical and moral duty to reject and oppose these persecutions and demand their immediate cessation. We demand swift and concrete actions aimed at ending the persecution against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” — Archbishop Theodosius added.