Sumy believers of UOC declare violation of rights by central government
A parish meeting of the Cathedral in Sumy. Photo: portal-pravoslavie.sumy.ua
On February 14, 2021, a parish meeting was held at the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in the city of Sumy, which adopted an appeal to the President of Ukraine, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister regarding the violation of constitutional rights and freedoms of religion with the adoption of anti-church laws, reports the official website of the Sumy Eparchy.
The meeting was chaired by the rector and chairman of the parish council of the Cathedral, Metropolitan Eulogius (Gutchenko) of Sumy and Akhtyrka. There was only one issue on the agenda: a written appeal from members of the parish to the central government regarding the violation of constitutional rights and freedoms that were entailed by the Law of Ukraine No. 2673-VIII "On amendments to some laws of Ukraine on the subordination of religious organizations and the procedure for state registration of religious organizations with the status of a legal entity" dated January 17, 2019, and the Law of Ukraine No. 2662-VIII "On Amendments to Article 12 of the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" regarding the name of religious organizations (associations)”.
The letter to the President, the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers says that these laws create conditions for violation of constitutional rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens on religious grounds, and pose a threat to peace and order in the Ukrainian state.
More than 600 residents of Sumy have already supported the letter with their signatures.
As reported, the hierarch of the UOC commented on the possibility of an impending strike by the authorities on the Church.
Read also
New Course Will Examine Orthodox Teaching on Abortion
Fr. Adam Roberts to Lead Five-Week Online Discussion Series Beginning August 24
Verkhovna Rada Debates Whether There Are Enough Votes to Repeal Law Banning the UOC
MP Yulia Sirko warns that repealing the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church could lead to revolution.
Scientists Invent Brain-Computer Chip Capable of Reading Human Minds
The "brain-computer" interface will help people who have lost the ability to speak communicate through the power of thought.
Metropolitan of the Jerusalem Church Strongly Condemns Actions of Ukrainian Authorities: Persecutions Like in Soviet Times
Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostra, Exarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Cyprus, denounces desecration at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra as a grievous assault on Orthodoxy.
Prayer Site of Persecuted UOC Community Set on Fire in Kyiv Region
The Orthodox community suspects OCU representatives of arson.
Documentary on St. Sava in Production with Support of Serbian Orthodox Church
Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Željko Mirković leads project spanning Athos, Balkans, and beyond.