Poroshenko to sign law on “guarantees of peaceful transfer” to OCU

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko promised the other day to sign draft law No. 4128-d which had been adopted by the Rada and known as the law on church raiding.

"One of these days I will sign the law that will guarantee exclusively peaceful and voluntary transitions of communities," reports his words Interfax-Ukraine. “In a clear procedure, defined by the Law of Ukraine.”

The head of the OCU "Metropolitan" Epiphany recently said that the state should rationalize this transition so that the process would be "peaceful and without any confrontation."

The Rada adopted anti-church bill #4128-d on January 17. Observers note that this was a result of gross violations of parliamentary regulations. And Speaker Andrey Parubiy even ignored the request of deputies to hear opinions of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the draft law.

The adopted law suits only one denomination – the OCU, and only one person needs it – Poroshenko, said MP Vadim Novinsky.

After the adoption of the draft law on Ukraine, the wave of church raiding intensified. On January 20, in the Volyn villages of Skobelka, Berestechko, Kutrov, Nichegovka and Bronitsa, the OCU activists tried to seize the temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Orthodox believers of Chernigov region turned to the head of Borzna District State Administration, Vera Proskura, with a request to return the church in the village of Olenovka, having been taken away by the OCU supporters with the participation of activists from the radical group S14.

Read also

Governor of Mount Athos invites President Trump to Holy Mountain

The Greek official expressed confidence that Donald Trump, who has shown interest in Orthodoxy, will visit Mount Athos during his trip to Greece.

Pat. Bartholomew: Tradition Is 'Not Conservative but Creative'

The EP then praised Vatican II and its architects, including French theologians Henri de LYves Congar. 

Trisagion Service Held for 107th Anniversary of Fr. Nicola Yanney’s Repose

The “Apostle to the Plains” has a strong case for canonization and is venerated by an ever-growing number of Orthodox Christians.

Eastern Christian Leaders Gather at St. John the Baptist Monastery in U.K.

Bishops and clergy from Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, and Oriental Churches discuss shared concerns and unity in witness across the United Kingdom.

U.S. State Department's Michael Rigas Visits Mount Athos Ahead of Energy Conference

Greek-American official with Orthodox roots spends 24 hours on the Holy Mountain before joining Ambassador Guilfoyle in Athens.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Expresses Desire to Learn More About Greek Orthodoxy

New U.S. Ambassador to Greece expresses admiration for Greek Orthodoxy and commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.