UOC Bishop Warns of 'God's Wrath' Over Forced Mobilizations

KYIV — The Zaporozhye Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, led by Met. Luke, issued a strong appeal on August 4, denouncing the forced mobilization of clergy as an attack on the Church.

“A pastor is not an official or hired worker," Met. Luke declares. "He’s connected to his flock through the Eucharist, Confession, Baptism, prayer. It’s impossible to replace him—just as you can’t grow a tree in one day after cutting down an old one.” The statement continues:

A priest gives an oath not to the authorities, but to God. And this oath is forever. According to the canons, a clergyman is forbidden to take up arms and make a worldly oath, i.e., to swear allegiance to anyone else, even the state. Breaking this [vow], he’d no longer be able to celebrate the sacred rites. His ministry, the only thing he could do, would be finished.

“War will pass," he concludes; "But we must all live with its consequences. And our children too. Do cross that line beyond which God’s wrath begins.”

The statement, signed by the diocese and its faithful, calls compelling priests into military service a violation of their sacred vows and an attempt to sever spiritual ties with their congregations.

Metropolitan Luke emphasized that priests are bound to God, not secular authorities, and cannot take up arms or swear worldly oaths per Church canons. He warned that mobilizing clergy deprives communities of essential sacraments like Confession and Communion, pushing believers into isolation.

The appeal follows reports of four clergy detentions by Territorial Recruitment Centers in early August, amid escalating tensions between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and authorities during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

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