President: We should raise awareness among believers

"Honorary acting spiritual mentor" of the OCU Filaret Denisenko and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko

The process of transfer of believers to the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” is already unstoppable, but in order to prevent mistakes, it is very important to raise believers’ awareness, “UNIAN” cites the words of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. 

The president urged supporters of the OCU to avoid violence.

“I want to warn the individual radicals who tomorrow will go to take away temples. This mustn’t be done. You take the churches not from Moscow, but from the community. We need to work with the community. It is necessary to convince them and explain: if there is already a canonical Ukrainian church, why should you wander somewhere, go to us,” Poroshenko said at a meeting with teachers and students of Ternopol higher schools.

According to the President, the Kremlin is interested in religious war and bloodshed.

“Those who wanted to attract “titushki”(tough guys – Ed.) and old women in red headscarves failed. Let the Ukrainians choose their own way to God, and they will do it,” Poroshenko concluded his speech.

Earlier, Poroshenko stated that the Vatican news website published information on the creation of the OCU, although there was no such publication on the official website.

Read also

Patriarch of Jerusalem Meets with Russian Ecclesiastical Mission

The head of the Mission congratulated Theophilus III on the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.

Romanian Patriarchate: 'Ukrainian State Does Not Respect Its Own Laws'

The Romanian Orthodox Church rejected a request by Kiev's ambassador to Bucharest to recognize the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine, citing concerns about the OCU's canonical status and the right of Romanian Christians.

Relief Fund for St. Elias Church in Damascus Announced by Antiochian Archdiocese of North America

Donations to the community that recently suffered from a terrorist attack can be offered online or by check.

Ludwell Fellowship Announces September Conference in Virginia

Orthodox scholars and faithful to gather in celebration of Orthodoxy, Southern identity, and the enduring legacy of Phillip Ludwell III.

New All Saints of North America Icon to Debut at OCA's 21st All-American Council

Commissioned by Metropolitan Tikhon, the icon honors the saints of North America and will be unveiled in Phoenix this July

Patriarch Kirill to Pat. Theophilos: Let Us Uphold Canonical Orthodoxy

On the 50th anniversary of Patriarch Theophilos’ priesthood, Moscow’s primate calls for unity in the truth of the Orthodox faith