OCU rep: Foundation of Romanian Church of Ukraine a provocation against OCU
Epifaniy Dumenko and Viktor Bed’. Photo: the website of the Mukachevo-Carpathian Eparchy of the OCU
The "bishop" of the OCU, Viktor Bed’, accused the Romanian Church of working for the FSB, as well as provocative activities against the OCU, Ukraine and the whole world Orthodoxy on his Facebook page. The occasion was the foundation of the so-called "Romanian Church of Ukraine" by the Romanian Patriarchate.
Bed' is convinced that "the adoption of such a disparaging and provocative decision against Ukraine and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, in particular, in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014 - 2024, testifies to the great influence on the political public in Romania (Romanian authorities) and the hierarchy of the Romanian Orthodox Church of the structures of the FSB rf and the Moscow Patriarchate".
According to Bed’, it "becomes clear to him why the Romanian Orthodox Church avoided official recognition of the Local Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine".
He believes that "at the level of Romanian politicians and the Romanian church hierarchy, Russian narratives that Ukraine might lose the war and be further divided dominate."
The OCU “hierarch" is offended that the Romanian Church's decision "testifies to Ukraine's loss on the international information front to Russian Putin-Patrushev propaganda and to the weakness of Ukrainian diplomacy and Ukrainian special services in defending Ukrainian national interests and, in particular, religious security at the international level".
Bed’ is convinced that the leaders of Ukraine and the OCU "must take urgent and effective measures to protect national and religious security".
As earlier reported, the Romanian Patriarchate established the Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
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.