“We demand an end to the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” Hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate

The hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Archbishop Theodosius of Sevastopol, called on the Local Orthodox Churches and human rights organizations to pay attention to the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The bishop expressed support for the UOC, adding that the Jerusalem Church will never recognize the OCU. This is reported by the ROC DECR Communication Service.

“We would like to appeal to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — the Church-martyr and the Church-witness, which does not cease to be persecuted and persecuted by the Kyiv authorities, who have adopted discriminatory laws to weaken it, to harass its bishops and clergy, to justify the seizure of its churches and property. We would like to reiterate our support and full solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, and reiterate that it is the only canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine that we recognize, and we will never recognize any other entity. We call on all the faithful of our Churches to intensify their prayers and petitions for this suffering, persecuted Church as the Triodion begins. In times of pain and sorrow, our only refuge is the Lord. We pray for peace in our country and in our East, and we also pray for peace in Ukraine and for an end to the war there. We hope and demand that all persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church immediately cease, and that all discriminatory laws directed against this Church, which is an integral part of the Ukrainian country and its people, be repealed,” — Archbishop Theodosius said.

The hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate called on the Local Churches and human rights organizations to pay close attention to the situation with the persecution of the UOC, making every effort to end the Ukrainian church crisis.

“We also repeatedly call on all the Churches of the world and all human rights and humanitarian organizations to make every joint effort to put an end to the persecution of the oldest Ukrainian Church, whose history is closely linked to the history of Ukraine itself. Before the Holy Tomb of the Lord in Jerusalem, we offer fervent prayers for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, all metropolitans and bishops, priests, monks, nuns and all the faithful of our sister Ukrainian Church, asking Almighty God to strengthen them and comfort their hearts in these difficult times that the Ukrainian Church is experiencing in a country suffering from the consequences of war,” — the hierarch added.

Recall, earlier we reported that the Primate of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Savva of Warsaw and All Poland, in his message to the faithful in honor of Lent, drew attention to the situation with the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.