Expert: UOC needs to defend its rights in the international arena

Expert Yuri Molchanov. Photo: screenshot of the 112 Ukraine Youtube channel

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church must fight anti-church laws in the international arena, journalist Yuri Molchanov believes.

“The adoption of laws that infringe on the rights of believers entitles the UOC to use the entire arsenal of legal levers, including in the international arena. And this is what we lack now," said the expert in the studio of the First Cossack channel.

According to the journalist, the campaign to collect signatures made it clear to the President that the problem is urgent, but after Lent the UOC needs to activate its supporters.

“When the situation with the COVID-19 epidemic calms down, we need to hold a religious procession to show the ‘living’ number of believers,” Molchanov emphasized. "It is a big mistake for the authorities to think that one can fight against the Church and that She will not answer."

Earlier, Molchanov said that people will be ready to come to the President's Office in person "in behalf of faith in God" if the authorities fail to hear them.

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.