ROC: Guardians of church unity are being persecuted in Ukraine
Bishops' meeting of the Russian Orthodox Church. Photo: patriarchia.ru
On July 19, 2023, the participants of the Bishops' Conference of the Russian Orthodox Church stated that the Ukrainian authorities are persecuting the guardians of church unity, the patriarchia.ru website reports.
The final resolution states that “the reports that the clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are being made to renounce God’s truth and pushed into schism are particularly bitter.”
The participants of the Bishops’ Conference called for “an intense prayer for Orthodox brothers and sisters in Ukraine, for those who strive to preserve church unity despite threats, slander and persecution, and especially for those who show a truly confessional feat, courageously raising their voices in defense of this unity."
The hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church wished many years to Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl, who is now in prison, "and to all hierarchs-confessors who suffer criminal prosecution for their faith and the Church."
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church said whether it is possible to receive communion where he is not commemorated.
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.