Jerusalem Hierarch Calls on Orthodox Churches to Support Persecuted UOC

Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia. Photo: Facebook/Voice of the Orthodox Church from Jerusalem

PALESTINE — On August 2, 2025, Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia (Jerusalem Patriarchate) called upon spiritual and church leaders of the world, as well as human rights and humanitarian organizations, to stand in defense of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and its Primate, who are being persecuted by the authorities. The public statement was published by the hierarch on the Facebook page "Voice of the Orthodox Church from Jerusalem."

Archbishop Theodosios expressed outrage over the persecution of the UOC and its primate, Metropolitan Onuphry. He primarily condemned the new religious legislative initiatives of the Ukrainian authorities.

"The new laws were adopted to restrict this Church, its flock, and to deprive it of its status despite it being the only lawful and legitimate Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and we do not recognize any other church structure," the hierarch noted.

Separately, the archbishop drew attention to the pressure on His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the persecution of the clergy, events surrounding the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the forced evictions of monks and believers from their temples.

"The persecution of Metropolitan Onuphry and the threat of trial against him, as well as the fact that hierarchs, priests, and monks are subjected to harsh arrests and persecutions, along with the seizure of the historic monastery - Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the capture of several churches and monasteries, and the expulsion of believers from them - all this is part of systematic persecution directed against this ancient Church," the hierarch stated.

He also emphasized the moral responsibility of all who remain indifferent:

"The persecution of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine by the Kyiv authorities is a criminal act, but an even greater crime is committed by those who remain silent and watch this persecution and do nothing to stop the injustice against this sister Church."

Archbishop Theodosios called on the global Orthodox, as well as human rights and humanitarian organizations, to urgently intervene to protect the UOC.

"We appeal to all spiritual and church authorities of the world, as well as to human rights and humanitarian organizations, with a call to stop this systematic persecution that this Church is subjected to," stated the hierarch of the Jerusalem Church.

He also emphasized that he prays for the end of the war in Ukraine:

"War is absolute evil, and there are no good and bad wars - all wars are bad and must be rejected."

Previously, UOJ reported that a Ukrainian court had extended the detention of Metropolitan Arseny for another two months.

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