Patriarch Porfirije calls on all Churches to condemn persecution against UOC
Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: spc.rs
On March 29, 2023, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, called on the Local Orthodox Churches to condemn the persecution against the UOC.
The Patriarch stated that “the entire Christian world knows very well that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the only canonical Church recognized by all other Churches and the largest religious organization in Ukraine in terms of the number of priests, monks and believers.”
He emphasized that if the authorities succeed in expelling the monks from the Lavra, this will affect the identity of the Ukrainian people: “Even if this evil comes true, it is clear to everyone that memory, history and all traces of primordial Orthodoxy will disappear in Ukraine in order to radically change, i.e. disfigure its identity, which the Church laboriously and painstakingly built over the centuries from the time of St. Prince Vladimir up to the present day.”
“We expect that all Churches and religious communities, as well as all institutions for which peace, justice and order matter, will condemn the mentioned threat to religious freedoms and violation of property rights,” wrote Patriarch Porfirije.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Patriarch Porfirije condemned state terror against the UOC.
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.