Metropolitan Augustine (Markevich): attempts to involve interfaith problems into the sphere of military influence are unacceptable
In his address on September 7 to the military clergy and Orthodox militaries of the Armed Forces and other military units of Ukraine Met. Augustine emphasized that attempts to involve interfaith problems into the sphere of military influence are inadmissible.
Vladyka noted that assaultsof a certain part of negatively and aggressively minded citizens toward the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been frequented lately. In the nearest time, according to the Metropolitan, a cycle of provocations against the UOC is going to be organized.
“For that end there is planned publishing of disgraceful provocative materials with false content, destined to defame the UOC military clergy and chiefs of the Synodal Department, remarked His Eminence. The purpose of the intentional provocation is to raise an issue of excluding the UOC representatives from the Pastoral Care Council at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.”
It’ll mean an actual ban of the UOC clergymen from the spiritual guidance of the militaries. The Chairman of the Synodal Military Department called such prospect unfair with regard to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and reminded it was namely the representatives of this Department who were the first to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation and who founded the Pastoral Care Council.
Incitement of interfaith hostility amid military actions, in his opinion, will only add to the tension and appear as a powerful factor of the society’s precariousness.
“I want to underscore that the attempts to involve interdenominational problems into the sphere of military influence are unacceptable,” he said.
Metropolitan Augustine is convinced the intentions to deprive the UOC priests of their pastoral care of the militaries is in fact “attempts to deprive thousands of men in military service – the UOC believers – of the possibility to exercise their constitutional right to the freedom of faith.”
Read also
St. Paul's in Dayton, OH, to Host 4th Annual Liturgical Music Workshop
This two-day event welcomes church musicians, choir directors, chanters, and Orthodox music enthusiasts for fellowship, prayer, and skill-building in liturgical music.
Pat. of Alexandria Speaks of Egyptian President's 'Love and Concern' for Orthodox Church
In an interview conducted by the Prime Minister's office, Theodore II said of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi: “The President’s love and concern for the Greek Orthodox Church in Egypt are a precious treasure for all of us."
After Criticism from National Herald, GOARCH Shares Public Schedule of Pat. Bartholomew
Questions had previously been raised about the Patriarch of Constantinople's upcoming visit to the U.S., which initially had a schedule of meetings that was seemingly restricted to the more privileged members of the archdiocese.
Serbian Orthodox Priest: There Is Only One Canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine — The UOC
Archpriest Slobodan Zeković affirms the exclusive canonical status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under Metropolitan Onuphry and explains the Church’s stance on Holy Communion and intercommunion with other Christian communities.
Pat. Porfirije: The Church Must Resist Applause at Appearing 'Modern'
Serbian Patriarch warns against diluting the Church’s mission during visit to historic Belgrade parish.
Pat. of Jerusalem: We Must 'Serve and Guard the Holy Places'
"Our unity also has its fruits, which is the salvation of all," said Theophilus II. "Our unity guarantees the way and the means of salvation."