The lawyer who defended UOC shrines in Chernihiv forcibly taken to TRC
Lawyer of the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC Oleksandr Shamko. Photo: news.church.ua
On October 5, 2023, military personnel forcibly took lawyer Oleksandr Shamko, who represents the Chernihiv Eparchy of the UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church), to a territorial military recruitment center (TRC). He had been documenting violations of the law by representatives of the Ministry of Culture during the sealing of the Holy Trinity and Transfiguration Cathedrals and the Yeletskyi Convent in Chernihiv. This information is reported by the Information and Enlightenment Department of the UOC.
The statement emphasizes that "such actions constitute a direct violation of Ukrainian legislation on the legal profession and an attempt to pressure and intimidate the believers of the Chernihiv Eparchy, who are being unlawfully deprived of world-famous Orthodox shrines."
As previously reported, on the morning of October 5, representatives of the National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Ancient Chernihiv," accompanied by law enforcement personnel, blocked the Holy Trinity and Transfiguration Cathedrals and the Yeletskyi Convent. Since February 2023, the reserve has been attempting to evict UOC communities from these shrines, and the Chernihiv Eparchy is challenging these claims in the Regional Economic Court.
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.