OCU claims to Korets Monastery

The Diocese of Rivne of the OCU published a statement in which it made clear its claims to the Holy Trinity Korean Stavropegic Monastery. The basis for this was the conclusion of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) that there are signs of ecclesiastical and canonical connection between the monastery and the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to a statement by the press service of the OCU, the conclusion of the DESS is «an important step not only in the legal but also in the spiritual dimension.» The diocese’s statement says that this decision «is intended to protect not only the law but also the very soul of our state, so that there is no place in its spiritual space for those who, under the guise of faith, serve lies.»

Representatives of the OCU also directly hinted at their intention to take control of the Korets Monastery. «We believe that the day will come when a sincere prayer in the Ukrainian language will again be heard in these ancient walls — a prayer for Ukraine, for the people, for our soldiers, for peace and victory,» the statement reads.

As reported earlier, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has completed a study that revealed signs of affiliation of the Korets Holy Trinity Stavropegic Monastery of the Moscow Patriarchate with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The activities of the Russian Orthodox Church are prohibited in Ukraine under the Law of Ukraine «On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations». Based on its findings, the SES ordered measures to terminate the monastery’s activities.