Earlier, we reported that the Czech Senate Security Committee called on the government to initiate an inspection of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia for cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church. The committee believes that the OCCLS, through its cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church, has come under the influence of Russian special services.
Religious scholar criticizes Orthodox Church of Czech Lands and Slovakia for not recognizing OCU
Oleksandr Sagan, a lobbyist for the OCU, head of the Department of Religious Studies at the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences, criticized the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia for not recognizing the OCU. Sagan argues that the situation has developed in this way because the hierarchs and clergy of the OCCLS are mostly graduates of theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church. He stated this in an interview with Radio Liberty.
«The position on the non-recognition of the OCU remains unclear. In November 2019, one of the hierarchs of this church concelebrated with Metropolitan Epifaniy. However, the matter has not progressed further — this church does not recognize the OCU,» — Sagan noted.
He added that most of the OCCLS clerics studied in Russian theological schools, so they allegedly believe that “Russia must save the world from the spirituality of the West.” In addition, according to Sagan, Russia is pouring in huge amounts of money to influence the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
«Most of the clergy were educated in theological schools of the Moscow Patriarchate and think accordingly. If the church ignores this during the change of generations, it will continue to follow the path of pro-Moscow politics. Russia is supposed to be saving the world from the spirituality of the West, and as part of this program, a big policy is being pursued towards European churches. Huge funds are allocated to ensure that churches of the Moscow Patriarchate operate in every European country. This is how a network of agents promoting the Kremlin’s ideas is being formed throughout Europe — and the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia is no exception,» — the OCU lobbyist added.
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