Mothers and wives of military captives ask UOC Primate for help (VIDEO)
“The Church has become the only place for us where we should not line up and where we are always welcome and heard,” said Yekaterina Khomiak, whose two sons are missed in action at this war.
Relatives requested His Beatitude to help them find their near ones, to transfer a parcel or a letter via the priests who are based beyond the other line of battle.
“I realize the upcoming holiday sings small due to your concerns and commotion about your children, your captive sons and husbands,” said the Metropolitan to the bereft. “But we will pray to God so that He would help them and set them free and return to the native land. As a Church we do everything possible about it. We asked to free at least some of them on the occasion of Easter. They promised something… Therefore, we have to keep praying. This is the first and main thing. God will always be with us and nobody will be able to inflict damage on us. At the same time we are going to do what we are supposed to – release our captives”.
Since the ATO began, the UOC clergy have managed to free from captivity nearly 20 military servicemen.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.