Jerusalem hierarch: We strongly condemn seizures of UOC temples
Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia. Photo: rusdm
Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia said at a meeting with believers from different countries at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is being persecuted by the Ukrainian authorities, reports the resource Rusdm.
"We express our solidarity with His Eminence Metropolitan Onuphry and all the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who are subjected to severe persecution while the Western world, which praises human rights, seeing and knowing this, takes no action. Western political authorities and their representatives in Ukraine seek to create an ecclesiastical structure alternative to the legitimate Church, but we do not recognise the canonicity of the structure imposed by the political leadership of Ukraine as an alternative to the legitimate Church headed by Metropolitan Onuphry," the hierarch said.
He stressed that the Jerusalem Church strongly condemns the seizures of churches and prison terms for UOC bishops.
"We believe that the Orthodox Church in Ukraine will defeat its enemies. This is not the first time the Church has been persecuted: its history is full of cruel persecutions, but in the end, it wins because the Lord Jesus Christ protects it and guards it against all evil, from enemies visible and invisible," concluded the Archbishop of Sebastia.
As earlier reported, the Polish Church Council criticised the Ukrainian authorities over the ban on 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.