The hierarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate called on the Local Churches to support the UOC and its Primate

Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia, a hierarch of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, called on the Local Orthodox Churches, spiritual authorities of the world, and human rights organizations to speak out in defense of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine. The bishop drew attention to the anti-church policy of the Ukrainian state and criticized the laws aimed at banning the UOC. This was reported by the Voice of the Orthodox Church from Jerusalem.

«New laws have been passed to restrict this Church, its flock, and deprive it of its status, despite the fact that it is the only legal and legitimate Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and we do not recognize any other church structure. The persecution of Metropolitan Onufry and the threat of trial against him, as well as the fact that bishops, priests, and monks are subjected to harsh arrests and persecution, as well as the seizure of the historic monastery — the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the seizure of a number of churches and monasteries, and the expulsion of believers from them — all this is part of systematic persecution directed against this ancient Church, whose history is inextricably linked with the history of Ukraine. This is the original and true Ukrainian Orthodox Church,» — said the hierarch.

Archbishop Theodosius added that those who silently watch the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are accomplices in this crime of the Ukrainian authorities, and called on them to raise their voices in defense of the clergy and believers of Ukraine.

«The persecution of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine by the rulers of Kyiv is a criminal act, but an even greater crime is committed by those who remain silent and watch this persecution and do nothing to stop the injustice against this sister Church, which, like its Lord, suffers and is crucified in the hope of resurrection, life full of dignity and freedom. From the Holy Sepulchre in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem, we pray for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry and for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and we appeal to all spiritual and ecclesiastical authorities in the world, as well as to human rights and humanitarian organizations, to stop the systematic persecution to which this Church is subjected. We pray for an end to the war in Ukraine. War is an absolute evil, and there are no good or bad wars—all wars are bad and must be rejected. Lord, grant peace to Ukraine and its people, grant peace to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and stop the persecution and attacks on this sister Church,» — emphasized the bishop of the Church of Jerusalem.

Earlier, Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra, a hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, also expressed his support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The bishop declared his solidarity with the UOC, Metropolitan Onufry, the clergy, and the faithful who are going through difficult trials.