DESS head: UOC needs to sever ties with Russia, not to join another Church
Head of DESS Viktor Yelensky. Photo: Voice of America
Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience stated that the state does not demand from the UOC "any changes to the calendar, liturgical language, joining another church, or proclaiming autocephaly. The only requirement is to sever ties with the Moscow Patriarchate," as reported by the DESS website.
According to Yelensky, if the UOC does so, the religious landscape in the country will change significantly, and dialogue between the UOC and the OCU will become possible.
The head of the DESS also stated that "according to the draft law awaiting a second reading, the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine will be impossible." However, this does not mean a ban on religious beliefs but rather the cessation of activities of religious structures subordinate to the Russian Federation.
As the UOJ reported, draft law 8371 in its new version, recommended by the Rada Committee for adoption in the second reading, contains provisions under which the UOC could be banned based on the statutory documents of structures from the Russian Federation.
Read also
Met. Tikhon: 'Prayer for the Dead is One of the Great Acts of Christian Love'
His Beatitude offered a reflection for the Saturday of St. Demetrius and commemoration of the departed.
St. Jonah Orthodox Church Celebrates Centennial of Patron Saint's Repose with New Ordinations and Plans for a New Temple
Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal, Locum Tenens for ROCOR's Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America, leads festal services to mark 100 years since the repose of St. Jonah of Manchuria.
Faithful in Cyprus Publish Open Letter in Support of Met. Tychikos of Paphos
Lay group hails hierarch’s stance on ecclesiological purity as a “patristic confession” and urges prayers for his strength amid ongoing trials.
Miraculous Kursk Root Icon on Visit to Western Europe
The most sacred icon of ROCOR is traveling around the Diocese of Great Britian and Western Europe for eight weeks.
Texas Doctor Who 'Transitioned' Children Surrenders Medical License
May Lau had previously been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for providing prohibited “gender transition” treatments to nearly two dozen minors.
U.S. Couple Donates Relics of St. Arsenios to UOC Monastery
A sacred relic of St. Arsenios the Great was donated by a California couple to Ukraine’s Holy Dormition-Sviatogorsk Lavra, where it was solemnly received and venerated in a ceremony led by Met. Arseny.