MP: 226 signatures collected in Rada to bring Bill 8371 to vote

MP Oleksiychuk. Photo: Screenshot from Pershyi video

Oleksandr Oleksiychuk, an MP from the Servant of the People party, announced that 226 signatures have been collected in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to bring the anti-church bill 8371 to the session hall for a vote. He made this announcement during a broadcast on Pershyi channel dedicated to the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

He explained that the bill had not been brought to the Verkhovna Rada for a second reading because MPs were not confident it would pass.

"In order to ensure that the bill brought to the floor will be supported by the majority, there was an agreement among all factions and groups to collect signatures to bring the bill to the floor and have it supported," he explained.

Oleksiychuk added that the bill would be put to a vote in the coming weeks and expressed confidence that it would receive over 260 votes.

As reported by the UOJ, Robert Amsterdam, head of the international human rights firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated that following the Peace Summit held on June 15-16 in Switzerland, the authorities would launch a new aggressive wave of crackdowns against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Read also

Wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon Makes Historic First Visit to Japan

The wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon made its first-ever pilgrimage to Japan, drawing hundreds of faithful to Tokyo and Kyoto for prayer, veneration, and a historic celebration of Orthodox unity.

Abducted Ukrainian Deacon Dies During Military Training

Abducted and conscripted Ukrainian deacon Orest Cherny, known for his devotion and sacred singing, tragically died at age 46 during military training, leaving a legacy of faith and humility.

Court Hearing on Expulsion of Monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Postponed Again

A long-delayed monastery lawsuit against a sanctuary faces yet another indefinite postponement after the presiding judge went on sick leave.

OCA Clergy Gather for Winter Synaxis Focused on Renewal and Resilience

More than 100 OCA clergy gathered online for the Winter 2025 Synaxis to pray, learn, and reflect on sustaining pastoral ministry and avoiding burnout through renewal in Christ.

Trump Administration Moves to Ban Federally Funded Transgender Procedures for Minors

The Trump administration is moving to bar federally funded hospitals from performing transgender medical procedures on minors, citing evidence of harm and a duty to protect children.

Bp. Theodosius: Ukraine's Authorities Classify Icons as Works of Art and Relics as Mummies

ROCOR hierarch links current policies toward holy sites and clergy to Soviet-era repression, calls for prayer and respect for religious freedom.