UOC spokesman: Believers are ready to take to streets to defend the Church
Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich, Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Relations of the UOC. Photo: screenshot of the video of the First Cossack youtube channel.
Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich, Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Relations of the UOC, said in the Right to Faith program on the First Cossack youtube channel that parishioners are ready to take to the streets en masse to protest against the pressure of the authorities on the Church, but so far these impulses are being held back in parishes.
“We will defend our rights by all legal means. If the authorities stop their ears, we will take to the streets, a lot of people are ready to go out, if there is no progress from the state,” said the spokesman of the UOC. "People want it themselves; we even restrain them to some extent."
He noted that now the standard rules of interaction are flouted, and the reaction to this may be unpredictable. But there is hope for a peaceful solution to the problems if parishioners show their social and public position while protecting their Church. “If we were just a few, this would be one thing, but there are plenty of us, and we must use this multitude to defend our Church. Don't sit and wait for someone else to do it. The fate of our Church now depends on each of us,” Father Nikolai summed up.
As the UOJ reported, in case of pressure, the Church can react as in Montenegro, assures the UOC spokesman.
Read also
EXCLUSIVE: ROCOR Weighs Canonization of Its First U.S.-Born Saint
Abp. Gabriel of Montreal and Canada speaks to UOJ-USA about the commission to investigate the life of Fr. Seraphim Rose.
Metr. Shio Receives Church Leaders in Tbilisi
Orthodox delegations gathered in Tbilisi to honor Patr. Ilia II and affirm unity among the Churches.
Abp. Mark Visits Pennsylvania Parish for Lenten Services
Abp. Mark’s visit strengthened Coal Region faithful during their Lenten journey.
Metr. Saba Appeals for Lebanon Relief Donations
Metr. Saba calls for urgent donations to aid displaced families in Lebanon.
New Orthodox Parish School Set to Open in Pennsylvania
"The School has been in the prayers of St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church since the community's founding in 1992," a press release states. "Through God, all things are possible!"
Ancient Monastic Complex Found in Egypt
A newly discovered Egyptian site highlights the scale and sophistication of early monastic life.