Eustratiy Zoria: Lavras of UOC belong to the state
Spokesperson for the Kiev Patriarchate Eustratiy Zoria
During the chat on the “Glavred”, the spokesperson for the UOC KP said who all the lavras of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church should belong to.
According to Eustratiy Zoria, the state transferred the lavras to the UOC for temporary use. The “principled position” of the clergy of the Kiev Patriarchate is that over time the lavras should belong to the Single Local Church. "Just as the shrines of Russia belong to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the shrines of Romania – to the Romanian Church."
Zoria assumes that the monks themselves will give voluntary consent to the transfer of the lavras. It will happen inevitably, and it’s not so important whether it will be sooner or later.
But the church property belongs to religious communities as legal entities. At the meetings, the people themselves “will decide which centre to obey — either the Ukrainian Orthodox Church or the Russian one”, the spokesperson of the UOC KP wrote in a chat.
On October 18, 2018, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted in favour of transferring St. Andrew’s Church to the Constantinople Patriarchate.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.