Yelensky: Only one Orthodox Church should remain in Ukraine
Viktor Yelensky. Photo: Espreso
The head of the State Ethnopolitics Committee Viktor Yelensky said on the “Espreso” channel that the situation when there is more than one Orthodox Church in the country is an anomaly.
"We hope that this is an anomaly when there is more than one Orthodox Church in the country, that there will not be such an anomaly. Especially since there is a very serious movement of both monastics, priests and hierarchs for unity. And there is a huge public demand for unity of Ukrainian Orthodoxy," the official said.
Yelensky called historic the OCU's 'worship service' at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on Christmas Day.
"And today is indeed a historic moment when for the first time in history the autocephalous Orthodox Church is serving at the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery because previously (in Ukraine - Ed.) there was no autocephalous Orthodox Church recognized by the Orthodox world," stressed Viktor Yelensky.
As reported, the head of the State Ethnopolitics Committee Viktor Yelensky said that the OCU will be able "to worship" in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra even after the Christmas service at the Dormition Cathedral.
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.