Ministry of Justice demands sanctions against Metropolitan Lazar of Crimea

Metropolitan Lazar. Photo: Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court demanding sanctions against the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Lazar (Shvets) of Simferopol and Crimea, the department reports on its Facebook page.

It is reported that Metropolitan Lazar supported the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, facilitated the occupation authorities of Crimea, and also "used his position to conduct propaganda work among believers within the framework of the ideology of the aggressor state, as well as by supporting and motivating the moral-psychological health of the servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and illegal armed formations," the statement of the Ministry of Justice says.

As reported by the Synodal Information and Education department of the UOC, on March 20, 2023, at a regular meeting of the Holy Synod of the UOC, a decision was made to remove Metropolitan Lazar of Crimea and Simferopol from the Synod.

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.