Deputies of Rivne Regional State Administration urged local dioceses of the UOC to “break with Moscow” and join the ОCU

On August 26, 2024, deputies of the Rivne Regional State Administration gathered for an extraordinary session to adopt an appeal to the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region. The text of the appeal, in particular, demands that local dioceses of the UOC “break with Moscow” and join the OCU. All 47 deputies of the regional council voted in favor of the appeal. This was reported by the publication Suspilne.Rivne.

“We are not looking for enemies — they are in sheep’s clothing here, in our communities. The time for choice has come! It is up to you to decide whether you will be on the side of light or darkness tomorrow. We urge you to make a choice in favor of the light, to be with the Ukrainian people, to support our Victory in the struggle for freedom and independence with words and deeds,” — the appeal reads.

The deputies added that it is time for the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to stop being “slaves of Moscow” and decide to join the OCU.

“We call on you to strictly implement the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations” signed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: go to your church, profess holy Orthodoxy! But gather your will, take responsibility, organize a parish meeting, get out of the Moscow schism, wash off the stigma of being Moscow’s slaves and silent accomplices in its crimes! And join the family of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which is in unity with world Orthodoxy! For those who want to look for opportunities! And those who do not want to look for reasons!”, — the deputies of the Rivne Regional State Administration added.

We will remind, the people’s Deputy of Ukraine and head of the Committee on humanitarian and information policy Nikita Poturaev said that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will not go underground after Her final ban. The MP is convinced that only a few people in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are ready for such a step, while the majority need familiar conditions.