Synod of OCU urges VR to pass the law banning UOC "as soon as possible"

A meeting of the synod of the OCU. Photo: pomisna.info

On March 7, 2024, the synod of the OCU appealed to the members of parliament to "as soon as possible" vote in the second reading and overall for draft law No. 8371, which provides for the ban of the UOC, and to the President of Ukraine – to sign it. The corresponding statement of the "hierarchs" was published on the OCU's website.

In addition, the synod stated that "the presence of Ukrainian communities under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate constitutes moral complicity in its sins and crimes, causing harm to both the Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian people."

The OCU also noted that the decrees of the UOC hierarchs regarding "deprivation of rank or other similar actions" against clergy and believers who have joined the schism "have neither validity, nor canonical force, nor any significance".

As reported by the UOJ, the Rada committee approved the bill on the UOC for adoption in the second reading.

Read also

City of Kyiv Adorns Coat of Arms With Pride Rainbow

The emblem, which depicts St. Michael the Archangel wielding a flaming sword, was restored in 1995, replacing Soviet-era symbols.

Relics of Recently Canonized Saint Gifted to Macedonian Orthodox Parish in Chicago

St. Joakim Krčovski’s legacy of faith and enlightenment is now honored in the U.S. diaspora.

Greek Orthodox Community Celebrates Inaugural Charlotte-to-Athens Flight

Airport gate transformed with blessing, music, and Greek hospitality as Charlotte Douglas International Airport launched its longest nonstop flight.

Russia Demands Protections for Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Istanbul Peace Talks

Religious freedom emerges as a key issue in ceasefire proposal amid ongoing state actions against the UOC.

U.S. Company Launches First Embryo ‘Optimization’ Platform for IVF Parents

In a controversial development in reproductive technology, American biotech firm Nucleus Genomics has launched Nucleus Embryo – the world’s first software platform designed to genetically “optimize” human embryos.

Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos Appointed Director of Greek Education for GOARCH

The appointment follows the resignation of Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, who stepped down for personal reasons after years of service.