Cabinet reappoints Yelensky as DESS head
DESS head Viktor Yelensky. Photo: nfront.org.ua
On March 15, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine appointed Viktor Yelensky as the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience. This was reported by the government representative in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk in his Telegram channel.
Yelensky's term of duty was set to expire on March 26, 2024.
Viktor Yelensky is a deputy of the VIII convocation from the party "People's Front", a former advisor to Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in 2014, and later was part of Volodymyr Groysman's party list.
Yelensky is a well-known adversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the "father of the law on 'transfers' of communities", and one of the authors of anti-church laws adopted by the Poroshenko government.
As reported by the UOJ, earlier, an American lawyer for the UOC stated that "before Mr. Yelenskyi's tenure as the Head of State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs, the UOC was guaranteed the right to practice their faith free from harm and harassment, but with his arrival, all this changed."
Read also
UOC Hierarch: The Church Does Not Endorse 'Holy War' Concept
"The assertion that the so-called 'special military operation' is a 'Holy War' contradicts the basic principles of Christian morality," Metr. Yevlohiy said.
Georgian Bishops Finalize Procedures for Patriarchal Election
Head of public relations for the Georgian Church says bishops finalized election procedures while emphasizing unity ahead of the patriarchal council.
SVS Press Releases New Volume by St. Maximus the Confessor
The publisher's new St. Maximus volume explores the theological foundations of Orthodox Christology and the defense of Chalcedon.
Abp. Daniel Announces Synodal Clergy Awards in Chicago Diocese
The Orthodox Church in America's Synodal awards recognized clergy across multiple ranks for dedicated service in the Midwestern diocese.
Registration Opens for First OCA-Wide Clergy Wives Retreat
The Orthodox Church in America’s first churchwide clergy wives retreat aims to strengthen ministry families through prayer, fellowship, and renewal.
Kimberly Guilfoyle Meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Athens
Kimberly Guilfoyle’s meeting with Patr. Bartholomew highlighted support for religious freedom and the global mission of the Orthodox Church.