Sviatogorsk Abbot: Persecution only consolidated faithful people of Ukraine
Abbot of Sviatogorsk Lavra Metropolitan Arseny. Photo: monasterium.ru
In Cyprus, in the framework of the II International Conference "Monasticism and the Modern World," the abbot of the Holy Assumption Sviatogorsk Lavra, Metropolitan Arseny, spoke about the current situation of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine, the Monastic Bulletin reports.
The metropolitan recalled that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church did not ask the Constantinople Patriarchate for autocephaly and the appeal of the parliamentarians to Patriarch Bartholomew was an exclusively political step.
According to him, despite the persecution launched by the government of Petro Poroshenko, the UOC has only grown: over the past five years, 30 new monasteries and 184 parishes have emerged. In total, the UOC has 12,500 parishes, 258 monasteries (including 3 Lavras), 439 clergymen, 100 bishops, the hierarch recalled.
“Sometimes one has to hear such an opinion that the Ukrainian Church is diminishing due to the events taking place in the country in recent years. But the Church does not shrink but only grows,” said Metropolitan Arseny.
As reported by the UOJ, at the International Conference “Monasticism and the Modern World”, Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos declared that the decisions of the Patriarch of Constantinople regarding the “Ukrainian issue” were non-canonical.
Read also
Nebraska Pilgrims Pray at Gravesite of 'Apostle to the Plains'
Fr. Nicola Yanney - considered a saint by many in the Midwest - was the first priest ordained by St. Raphael of Brooklyn and reposed in 1918 after ministering to those suffering from Spanish Flu.
Estonian Parliament Overrules President, Moves to Ban Orthodox Church
Committee Chairman Ando Kiviberg defended the bill, prioritizing national security over religious freedom, though no specific threat from the church was cited.
UOC Bishop Warns of 'God's Wrath' Over Forced Mobilizations
“War will pass," Met. Luke said. "But we must all live with its consequences. And our children, too."
Mel Gibson Begins Filming 'The Resurrection of the Christ'
Gibson has long described The Resurrection as the most significant project of his career, underscoring its personal and artistic importance.
God Created Our Universe, Claims Bulgarian Scientist - And Offers a Wager
Valentin Velchev offers a bottle of premium cognac to any scientist who can refute his scientific proof for the existence of God.
5th-Century Christian Church With Mosaic Found in Turkey
A newly uncovered inscription at the church entrance reads: “Only those on the righteous path may enter here.”