KDAiS rector: We expect new round of discrimination from Fanar head’s visit
Епископ Сильвестр (Стойчев). Фото: news.church.ua
We expect a new round of discrimination against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the arrival of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine, said the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS), Bishop Sylvester (Stoychev) of Bilogorodka, on the air of “Pershy Nezalezhny”.
“As the officials of our Church have repeatedly noted, our attitude to the invitation of the head of the Church of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, to visit Ukraine is not just negative, we expect a new round of discrimination, from simply informational to, alas, the possibility of violence against our parishioners, especially in some regions of Ukraine,” said the hierarch of the UOC, answering a question from journalists about his attitude to the announced Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine at the invitation of top officials of the country.
The rector of the KDAiS noted that "after all, there is also an intra-church etiquette, an intra-church organization of life".
When Patriarch Bartholomew was invited, “the complexity of the religious situation in Ukraine and the consequences should have been taken into account,” emphasized Bishop Sylvester.
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.