Ukrainian media claim transition to OCU is a "legal requirement"
Illustrative photo. Source: Unian
Journalists from the Ukrainian outlet Forpost staged a provocation during a live broadcast in which Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol answered questions. They asked the head of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy when he would join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and claimed that such a move was supposedly required by a law banning religious organizations connected to Russia, which came into effect on September 23, 2024.
In reality, no such provision exists in Law 3894.
Metropolitan Luke responded to the provocation:
"I am already in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and I am not planning to go anywhere. As for going where you are suggesting, I cannot go there because that is not a Church; it is a religious organization. But I cannot call it a church in the sense of being 'Christ's Church' because Christ does not beat anyone or force anyone to join."
As reported by UOJ, the U.S. advocacy Human Rights Watch has criticized Law 3894.
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.