UOC hierarchs enter Mirotvorets database for “counteracting SLC initiative”

Logotype of Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) site

The data about Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Borispol and Brovary, and head of the UOC Representation to European International Organizations Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka, and deputy chair of the Department for External Church Relations Protopriest Nikolai Danilevich were placed into the “Purgatory” of “Mirotvorets” site on May 8.

Among the "accusations" put forward by the resource against the hierarchs is the "counteraction to the initiative" of President Petro Poroshenko and the Verkhovna Rada on the creation of the SLC, as well as the opposition to "the independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy."

In July, 2017, the Directorate of the National Police of Kiev opened a case agaisnt “Mirotvorets”, which publishes contact information of the so-called "traitors of the motherland", including priests of the UOC, who get threatened afterwards.

In September, 2017, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the authorities of the country to investigate the activity of the site, associated with Advisor to the MIA head Arsen Avakov – Anton Gerashchenko.

In January 2018, after the end of the press conference "Attack on the editorial board of the Union of Orthodox Journalists", during which the director of the media outlet Anna Poddubnaya told about the criminal attack of radicals of the editorial board, which violated the freedom of speech, her personal information entered the “Mirotvorets” database.

On May 7 Arsen Avakov promised a “fast response” in the event of persecutions for faith.

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.