The CICC expresses deep concern about the oppression of Christians in Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia and Armenia

Representatives of the member churches of the Christian Interfaith Consultative Committee (CICC), the largest inter-Christian association in Eurasia, expressed deep concern over the continuing harassment and violations of Christian rights in a number of countries. The statement published on the KMCC website pays special attention to the situations in Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia and Armenia.

According to the website of the Russian Orthodox Church, the text of the statement emphasizes that the vocation of the Christian Churches at all times has been expressed in the service of peace and love. The members of the committee emphasize that attempts to use religion in political interests inevitably lead to division and mutual enmity, which radically contradicts the very essence of Christian teaching.

The statement describes in detail specific cases of pressure on believers and church structures. In Ukraine, according to the representatives of the KMCC, the practice of state pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with the aim of its liquidation and complete destruction persists. This is accompanied by seizures of churches, adoption of discriminatory laws and persecution of clergy and laity.

In Armenia, there is an increase in unprecedented pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church, expressed in the arrests of hierarchs and attempts at political interference in internal church affairs. The situation in Estonia is alarming due to the adoption of the Law on Churches and Parishes, which affects the internal life of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church, as well as the expulsion of Metropolitan Eugenius of Tallinn and All Estonia, which is considered a violation of the principles of religious freedom.

In Moldova, according to the statement, administrative and judicial measures against the Orthodox Church of Moldova are intensifying. Legal proceedings are underway to deprive the Church of its previously returned property, cases are being brought against clergy and laity defending their churches, and words are being heard about a complete ban on the Church. All this, in the opinion of the KMCC, threatens further division and destabilization of Moldovan society.

The KMCC representatives express their solidarity with their brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and maligned, and pray for peace and religious freedom. They call on the international community to pay immediate attention to what is happening and to help protect fundamental human rights and freedom of conscience.

The statement was signed by eleven prominent religious figures representing various Christian denominations. Among the signatories: metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk (Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department of the Russian Orthodox Church, Co-Chairman of the KMCC), Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan (Head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church), metropolitan Eugenius of Tallinn and All Estonia (Primate of the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church), as well as leaders of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, Christians of the Evangelical Faith, Adventists and other churches.

Recall, earlier we reported that in Washington, representatives of various Orthodox churches and Christian communities organized a “Day of Action of Orthodox Christians and their allies” to draw attention to the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The event, held on December 16, 2025 on Capitol Hill, drew about 200 participants. They held dozens of meetings with members of Congress and visited all House and Senate offices, urging lawmakers to protect the rights of believers.