Patriarch Kirill: Met. Jonathan sentenced for calls for the unity of Rus
Patriarch Kirill. Photo: Moscow Patriarchate
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, made a statement regarding the decision of the Vinnytsia court to sentence Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn to a 5-year imprisonment. The statement was published on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.
According to Patriarch Kirill, the UOC bishop was sentenced for calling for the spiritual unity of Holy Rus, praying for peace and condemning the unrighteousness of schism.
He said that he personally knows Metropolitan Jonathan "from the years of his studies and labours at the Leningrad Theological Academy", and "back in the late 1980s the state security agencies of the atheist state unsuccessfully tried to intimidate him".
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church called the accusations against the Tulchin bishop "absolutely null and void" and the evidence "falsified".
Patriarch Kirill once again calls on the international community, religious and political leaders and human rights organisations "to pay attention to the purposeful policy of the Ukrainian authorities aimed at destroying the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the ongoing unpunished persecution of its hierarchs and clerics, monastics and laypeople".
As earlier reported, Metropolitan Jonathan was sentenced to five years in prison.
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.