Voice of Orthodox Ukraine

Kushch explained the need to adopt the anti-church law by the fact that the laws in the Russian Federation are much stricter.

"Metropolitan" of Simferopol and Crimea Kliment (Pavel) Kushch spoke out in support of Law 3894, criticized in the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. He stated this at the SSEFC press conference "Freedom of Conscience in Ukraine: Its Enemies and Defenders".

"First of all, I, the Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea, on behalf of the clergy who left the occupied territory of Crimea, on behalf of the believers who lost everything in the territory of Crimea, we fully support the position of the state regarding the law that was adopted. This is still a soft law, because if you look at and analyze the laws of the Russian Federation, which were aimed at regulating interfaith issues, then these laws are much stricter and more cruel."

Kushch, who holds a Russian passport, said that according to Russian law, only citizens of the Russian Federation and only those religious denominations that have existed in Russia for more than 100 years can conduct religious services. He emphasized that his Crimean diocese of the OCU does not agree with the UN's criticism of the law.

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🇬🇧"Metropolitan" of the OCU with a Russian passport: I fully support the law banning the UOC❗️

🇺🇦«Митрополит» ПЦУ з паспортом РФ: Повністю підтримую закон щодо заборони УПЦ❗️

The case of the UOJ journalists has already become a real collection of violations of laws and human rights by SBU investigators and prosecutors.

Such was the scandalous violation of the secrecy of the meeting room, for which, thanks to the efforts of the UOJ lawyers, the senior prosecutor and the SBU investigator were literally thrown out of the case.

❗️ The meeting room is the the place, where judges, while being alone only with the case file and their own thoughts, make a decision that will become a verdict. The presence of representatives of the prosecution or the defence at this moment next to the judge is absolutely excluded. But on 8 May 2024, the prosecution was literally caught there!

How this happened, how the lawyers reacted, and what assessment the Ukrainian court gave to the illegal actions of the SBU - see in a new conversation with one of the UOJ lawyers Anton Fil.

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🇬🇧SBU PROSECUTORS ARE CAUGHT RED-HANDED

🇺🇦ГОНИТЕЛІВ З СБУ СПІЙМАЛИ НА ГАРЯЧОМУ

Presbyter Anastasios Gotsopoulos emphasized that all the arguments of the UOC's detractors, claiming its parishes do not join the OCU due to Moscow's influence, have been invalidated by the war.
Greek canonist, theologian, and ecclesiastical writer Presbyter Anastasios Gotsopoulos, in his research on the State Ethnopolitics Expertise regarding the links between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), stressed that both the government and Epifaniy Dumenko (head of the OCU – Ed.) had anticipated that the war would lead to a mass transition of church parishes to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). However, this did not happen.
Commenting on the period when the Tomos was granted in 2019, the priest noted that the initiators of the OCU’s creation had already encountered the failure of their project. Instead of repenting, however, they "began a ruthless war against the canonical Church, seizing churches, forcibly expelling parishioners, engaging in banditry, and subjecting the clergy and Orthodox believers to persecution by state services and semi-state groups – actions reminiscent of atheistic regimes."
"In February 2022, after the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the authors and supporters of the 'Tomos of Autocephaly' believed their problem would be resolved. They thought the bishops, remaining clergy, and faithful who had remained loyal to the canonical Church of Metropolitan Onufriy would now join the autocephalous church of Epifaniy. Thus, finally, the churches of the autocephalous church would be filled with believers! But in vain… Once again, their predictions and wishes did not come true!" the Greek theologian wrote.
He pointed out that "all the arguments they had been using to explain why the overwhelming majority of the Ukrainian people (both clergy and laity) remained faithful to their tradition, to the Church of their fathers, to the canonical Orthodox Church, have now run out."
"To now resort to the argument that Moscow is pressuring, influencing, and… funding thousands of clergymen and millions of believers so that they do not join Epifaniy, but instead remain in the canonical Church despite ongoing persecution, reveals that those who use this argument are, at best, fools…" the priest wrote.
As a result, he noted, "persecution, imprisonment, violence, and harassment of many bishops, priests, and believers have only intensified. The seizures of parish churches continued with the use of angle grinders, crowbars, hacksaws, tear gas, and even firearms."
"And still, no result! Faithful people turn away from Epiphanius and his structure. Ultimately, Zelensky’s government, supported by the autocephalous church structure and even its primate, Epifaniy, has followed in the footsteps of the Soviet atheistic regime, aiming to outlaw the canonical Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Onufriy, which is recognized by all fourteen Orthodox Churches!" the theologian underscored.

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🇬🇧Elladic theologian: It’s not Moscow that prevents parishes from joining OCU

🇺🇦Елладський богослов: Війна довела – не Москва заважає громадам йти до ПЦУ

Ukraine strictly adheres to international law regarding freedom of religion and belief, the Foreign Ministry assured the international community.
On January 10, the MFA issued a statement highlighting the state of religious freedom in territories temporarily occupied by Russia and reaffirming that there are no violations in Ukrainian-controlled areas.
“Numerous reports and assessments from influential international and foreign organizations, inclusively the Concluding observations of the UN Human Rights Committee and annual reports on the religious freedom of the U.S. Department of State, which designated Russia as a ‘country of special concern’, have documented egregious violations of religious freedom committed by the Russian invaders on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,” the statement reads.
The Ministry urges the international community to "strongly condemn these flagrant human rights violations, particularly the right to freedom of conscience, in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation; strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation and increase pressure on Russian authorities; intensify efforts to bring to justice all those responsible for the crime of aggression, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity."
At the same time, the MFA insisted: “Despite the war conditions, Ukraine remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting and upholding religious freedom, adhering to the principles of international law that govern freedom of religion or belief.”

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🇬🇧MFA: Ukraine does not violate believers' rights, mind Russia instead

🇺🇦МЗС: Україна не порушує прав віруючих, подивіться краще на РФ

🇬🇧Ukrainian Orthodox carol in Portugal gains popularity online

🇺🇦У Мережі набирає популярності колядка, записана громадою УПЦ у Португалії


The lyrics and music for the Christmas carol *"Din-Don"* were written by Anna Melnychuk.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church parish of St. Spyridon of Trimythous in Lisbon, Portugal, recorded a Christmas carol titled Din-Don. The video, published on the parish's YouTube channel on January 5, has been viewed by thousands of users.
The original carol, written by Anna Melnychuk, is performed by children from the Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Lisbon.
The project was created in collaboration with the vocal and recording studio Just Music Studio.
As of today, the video has been watched by nearly 8,000 users on YouTube.

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“The law does not ban the UOC, but it is about banning... nor are the clergy of this Church persecuted, but if they are persecuted…” – the DESS head tried to defend himself following the UN’s conclusions.
Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), commented on the latest report from the UN High Commissioner to Hromadske Radio. He claimed that international human rights advocates had taken a superficial approach to drafting the report on the religious situation in Ukraine and accused them of manipulation.
The government official once again tried to justify the anti-Church law №3894 adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, which aims to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and has been criticized by the UN.
“Manipulations begin, the sleight of hand starts from the very first minutes,” he said about the UN report.
According to Yelensky, the law does not actually ban any religious organization.
“The law does not mention banning the UOC or any other religious organization. It concerns banning the Russian Orthodox Church, which, according to a PACE resolution, is an extension of Putin’s criminal regime and a full-fledged participant in the war against Ukraine,” he explained.
However, he then added that it does impose restrictions: “Thus, the Russian Orthodox Church is banned in Ukraine, and religious organizations affiliated with it are given every opportunity to disaffiliate.”
Yelensky stated that the Ukrainian state does not impose calendar reforms on anyone or force parishes to join any other religious organization.
Furthermore, the DESS head claimed during the radio program that no UOC churches have been closed in Ukraine and that no clergy of this Church have been persecuted.
“And if somewhere the clergy of this Church are being persecuted…” he began to explain but was interrupted by the host.
At the end of the discussion, Yelensky reiterated, “The law pursues a legitimate aim, is necessary in a democratic society, and passes all the required democratic tests.” He also informed listeners that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already stated that the UN’s conclusions regarding the anti-Church law “do not correspond to reality”.

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🇬🇧Yelensky: UN manipulates claiming that anti-church law bans UOC

🇺🇦ООН маніпулює, говорячи, що антицерковний закон забороняє УПЦ – Єленський

🇬🇧DOZENS OF CRIMINAL CASES, LOOTING AND VICTIMS. CONSEQUENCES OF THE MASSACRE IN CHERKASSY

🇺🇦ДЕСЯТКИ КРИМІНАЛЬНИХ СПРАВ, МАРОДЕРСТВО ТА ПОСТРАЖДАЛІ. НАСЛІДКИ БІЙНІ В ЧЕРКАСАХ

◾️It has been almost 3 months since hired militants, led by OCU clerics, staged a bloody massacre in Cherkassy.

The St. Archangel Michael Cathedral is now occupied by raiders.

The police have opened 14 criminal cases over the church storming. Their investigation is slow and ineffective.
The main perpetrators of the crime have yet to be served with a notice of suspicion.

The UOC Cherkassy Diocese is preparing for the upcoming trial.
The head of the Legal Department of the diocese, Fr Gergiy Pogranichny, told us about the situation around the bloody seized shrine.

‘This event did not just happen. And it will not be forgotten for sure.
I believe that it still has its continuation in the legal field.’

❗️ Follow for to know more information:
https://youtu.be/yvYmt8TIDDc

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Instead of stopping the persecution of Christians and attempts to destroy the UOC, the Ukrainian authorities continue their efforts to whitewash the totalitarian law.

After the publication of the UN report, in which the law banning the UOC was recognized as anti-democratic, all its lobbyists rushed to make excuses.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the second appeal on the topic of religious persecution.

This time, 90% of the text is devoted to Russian crimes in the occupied territories.

Officials describe repressive practices against religious organizations, forced deportations of priests, and the banning of RCC-affiliated charities.

"The occupation authorities continue to limit the activities of all religious organizations that have an independent position or support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, grossly violating the rights of believers and the basic principles of freedom of conscience guaranteed by international law."

One gets the impression that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to justify or cover up the persecution of Christians in Ukraine with Russian crimes.

Only one short paragraph is devoted to the religious situation in Ukraine.
"Despite the realities of war, Ukraine continues to make every effort to protect and establish religious freedom and uncompromising adheres to the norms of international law, which regulate issues of freedom of religion and belief."

The last passage about "uncompromising adherence to the norms of international law" is especially ironic against the background of the UN's statements.

The UN — the organization that literally wrote these norms of international law — has directly stated that the Ukrainian authorities are violating them.

This is stated not only in the UN. The entire authoritative global human rights community speaks about this.

"Assertion of religious freedom", judging by everything, consists of the arrests of priests, bishops and human rights defenders and the bloody seizure of UOC churches.

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🇬🇧THE MFA OF UKRAINE RAN FOR THE SECOND TIME TO JUSTIFY BEFORE THE UN

🇺🇦МЗС УКРАЇНИ ВДРУГЕ ПОБІГЛО ВИПРАВДОВУВАТИСЯ ПЕРЕД ООН

A canonist and theologian Fr. Anastasios Gotsopoulos explained that the Statute of the UOC removed all clauses on the UOC's ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Greek theologian, canonist and priest Anastasios Gotsopoulos, in his study of the DESS Expertise on the UOC's relations with the Moscow Patriarchate, stated that many of the experts' arguments are not true. The article by Gotsopoulos was originally published on the website of the Greek branch of the UOJ, and translated on the main website of the resource.

The priest noted that the UOC Synod ‘without the participation of representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate independently elect their bishops (the right of ordination - jus ordinandi) and even their Primate, who has a historical title: ‘Metropolitan of Kyiv’ (Art. III. 9), and undoubtedly has the right to judge the above (the right of judgement-jus jurandi; Art. III. 8).’

The theologian stressed that the UOC Council ‘can adopt the Statute and makes changes and additions to it independently (Article II.7)! Its decisions do not require Moscow's approval, and Moscow also has no right to veto any decision of the Council of Bishops of Ukraine.’

‘By its conciliar decision of 27.05.2022, the UOC amended its Statute and confirmed with all clarity and unambiguity its full independence in administrative management from the Moscow Patriarchate. The competent authorities of Ukraine were notified of the decision of the Holy Council of the UOC by the Primate, Metropolitan Onuphry's letter No. 464/1.6.2022, and by document No. 838/28.9.2022, His Beatitude Onuphry gave official explanations of the UOC Statute provisions as amended on 27.05.22,’ the Greek priest writes.

In his opinion, the DESS experts acted on the instructions of the authorities in order to outlaw the UOC.

The theologian emphasises that the experts, having failed to find facts convenient for themselves in the Statute of the UOC, were forced to study the Statute of the Russian Church.

‘Very often, in their conclusions, the group of experts accuses the UOC on the basis of the provisions of the Russian Orthodox Church Statute, although after the Council of the UOC on 27.05.22, not a single Ukrainian bishop or Kyiv Metropolitan has participated in the Holy Synods of the Russian Orthodox Church. In other words, the experts make the granting of rights, its legal status and the existence of the UOC dependent on the behaviour of another church, from which it is administratively independent and whose decisions it cannot influence,’ the theologian said: ‘Experts are silent that the decision of 27.05.22 of the Holy Council of the UOC no longer guides the Church by the ‘definition of the current Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.’

Fr Anastasiy also noted that in paragraph 6.3 of the Expertise, ‘the experts refer to the provision of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, which provides for the “presence on a permanent basis of the Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the governing body of the Moscow Patriarchate”. However, they conceal the important point that after the decision of the UOC Council of 27.05.22, the Primate of the Ukrainian Church no longer participates in the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.’

‘We once again emphasise that the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church cannot influence the decisions of the UOC Synod,’ the theologian stressed and pointed to the bias and “custom-made nature” of the State Ethnic Policy document.

Earlier, it was written that, according to the Greek theologian Zelensky's government seeks to outlaw the UOC.

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🇬🇧A GREEK THEOLOGIAN EXPLAINED WHY THE DESS'S EXPERTISE ON THE UOC IS FALSE

🇺🇦ЕЛЛАДСЬКИЙ БОГОСЛОВ ПОЯСНИВ, ЧОМУ ЕКСПЕРТИЗА ДЕСС ЩОДО УПЦ НЕПРАВДИВА

Archimandrite Nestor also delivered food supplies for the festive table.

On December 30, 2024, the head of the military department of the Dnipropetrovsk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Archimandrite Nestor (Rozvadovskyi), visited servicemen from one of the sapper units in the combat zone. According to the press service of the Dnipropetrovsk Diocese, the clergyman administered the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion to the soldiers.
“Afterward, Archimandrite Nestor thanked all the soldiers for their resilience and wished for peace and tranquility to prevail on Ukrainian soil in the new year, and for all of them to return home to their families safe and sound,” the statement read.
Father Nestor also brought the servicemen food supplies for their festive table.
In gratitude to the head of the military department of the Dnipropetrovsk Diocese of the UOC, the defenders signed a national flag for him.
The trip to the combat zone was blessed by Metropolitan Iriney of Dnipropetrovsk and Pavlohrad.

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🇬🇧UOC priest gives sacraments to Ukrainian soldiers in combat zone

🇺🇦Священик УПЦ сповідав та причастив воїнів ЗСУ у зоні бойових дій

Father Yuriy Zarafutdinov received the distinction "For Achievements in Military Service".
Protopriest Yuriy Zarafutdinov, a cleric of the Volyn Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), was awarded the Honorary Distinction of the Commander of the Western Operational Command "For Achievements in Military Service", Second Class. This was reported by the press service of the Volyn Diocese, citing the priest’s Facebook page.
"Thank you all for your support and prayers. Another operation today... I ask for your holy prayers," he wrote in a post.
The diocese noted that in the combat zone, Father Yuriy sustained a mine blast injury and is undergoing lengthy treatment as a result.
As rector of the St. Elias Parish in the village of Borochychi, Protopriest Yuriy Zarafutdinov serves with the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Previously, the priest shared on his Facebook page that since 2014, the St. Elias community has been supporting Ukraine's defenders. Since the full-scale war began, Father Yuriy has been actively engaged in volunteer efforts supporting the AFU, and upon being drafted, he became a soldier himself.
While the priest was on the front lines, his parish faced challenges. In May 2023, OCU raiders seized the church from the UOC religious community. On social media, the priest stated that during his absence, OCU representatives forged documents and "transferred" the religious community to their jurisdiction, allegedly because "the priest remained with the Moscow Patriarchate... did not transfer..."
"Hello!!! The church rector is currently on the front lines. He wasn’t invited to the meeting because it never took place," Father Yuriy emphasized in his post.
"I, a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, call on the legislative and executive authorities to protect my rights and freedoms, as well as those of my family and the faithful of the St. Elias UOC church in Borovychi. Do not tarnish the honor of my free country. Do not encourage religious strife: we are all for Ukraine. Do not divide Ukrainian citizens based on faith – saying these Ukrainians are better, and those are worse," the protopriest appealed.

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The founder and director of a German charitable foundation visited Metropolitan Ioann of Kherson.
Metropolitan Ioann of Kherson and Tavria discussed cooperation prospects with the founder and director of the German charitable foundation "Private Ukraine Hilfe Paderborn," Karsten Stasch. According to the press service of the eparchy, the meeting took place on 28 December at the eparchial administration.
Metropolitan Ioann spoke to the head of the charity about the living conditions of the civilian population in Kherson and the region during the war, outlining the needs of the Kherson region. The UOC hierarch also briefed Karsten Stasch on the charitable activities of the Kherson Eparchy, "which are aimed at comprehensive support for the civilian population".
The hierarch thanked Karsten Stasch for the assistance already provided to the residents of the Kherson region and discussed the prospects for further cooperation.

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🇬🇧In Kherson, representatives of German mission meet with UOC hierarch

🇺🇦У Херсоні представники Німецької місії зустрілися із ієрархом УПЦ

The police are investigating the incident.
On December 31, 2024, representatives of the OCU accused the religious community of the Dormition Cathedral in Kremenchuk, Poltava region, of the disappearance of icons. Following the allegations, police initiated investigative actions.
The Kremenchuk Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) called these accusations a provocation. According to the diocese, the UOC community has had no access to the cathedral since October 2024, when the shrine was closed and sealed by law enforcement after an attempted takeover.
"The cathedral has remained closed and sealed since October, except for December 27, 2024, when OCU supporters conducted an inventory of church property. At all other times, the cathedral doors were locked with multiple locks and sealed. UOC believers had no access to the shrine," stated the diocese's press service.
The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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🇬🇧UOC reports provocation over missing icons from seized church in Kremenchuk

🇺🇦У Кременчуці УПЦ назвала провокацією зникнення ікон з Успенського собору

Officials from Ukraine's MFA have advised international human rights organisations on how to properly draft reports regarding the religious situation in Ukraine.
"We reject the UN's conclusions on the amendments to the Law of Ukraine 'On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations' as a distortion of reality," the Ukrainian MFA stated in its commentary. The Ministry criticised the report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) dated 31 December 2024.
In its report, the UN High Commissioner highlighted the fact that Ukraine had failed to justify the necessity and proportionality of measures aimed at dissolving religious organisations, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
Ukraine's MFA assured that the law mentioned in the report "does not provide for the prohibition of any of the churches that exist in Ukraine." Officials once again cited provisions of the law, which the UN described as "vague".
According to Ukrainian diplomats, this law is essential in a democratic society and provides for a democratic procedure where the final decision rests with the courts. They asserted that the law "does not impose a burden on the conscience of believers, but only relieves them from the pressure exerted by the Russian Orthodox Church, which, as the PACE resolution emphasized, 'represents an ideological extension of the criminal regime.'"
The MFA also reminded readers that, as a result of Russian military shelling, religious buildings and holy sites are being destroyed across Ukraine. However, they omitted the fact that most of these belong to the UOC. They also highlighted other crimes against religious freedoms, "notably the deliberate killing of worshippers and religious leaders, the destruction of religious buildings and holy sites throughout Ukraine, and the persecution of non-Russian Orthodox religious communities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine."
In its statement, the Ministry focused on Russia's and the Russian Orthodox Church's actions, completely ignoring the situation in Ukraine, including the assault on UOC believers in Cherkasy, which had been highlighted by international human rights organisations.
"We expect that the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission will continue to provide objective assessments of the actual situation on freedom of religion in Ukraine in its reports and will persist in documenting Russian crimes against Ukrainian believers, religious communities and leaders, as well as church property," the Ukrainian MFA concluded.

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🇬🇧Ukrainian Foreign Ministry criticises UN for its report on UOC ban law❗️

🇺🇦У МЗС відчитали ООН за критику закону щодо заборони УПЦ❗️

Dubinsky points out that clergy will receive military exemption in coordination with the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS).
The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers' proposal to grant exemption to the clergy is, in fact, aimed at encouraging UOC parish priests to join the OCU, while those who refuse will still be sent to the front, wrote detained MP Oleksandr Dubinsky on his Telegram channel. He was commenting on amendments to Resolution No. 76, which allows the exemption of all clergymen.
According to the MP, clerics will receive exemptions from conscription in coordination with the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience.
“Thus, the parishes that will move to the OCU will be exempt. And those who will not transfer will go to war. Those that do not will go to war. This will both improve the statistics and serve utilisation purposes,” he noted.

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🇬🇧Only those clergy of UOC who join OCU will be exempt, says MP❗️

🇺🇦Бронь отримають лише ті клірики УПЦ, які перейдуть до ПЦУ – нардеп❗️

🇬🇧Media shows how many pilgrims attended St. Amphilochius Feast in Pochaiv❗️

🇺🇦У ЗМІ показали, скільки паломників зібралося на свято у Почаєві❗️


A procession with the cross in honor of St. Amphilochius was held at the Pochaiv Lavra.
On January 1, the day of the repose of St. Amphilochius of Pochaiv, the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra hosted celebrations dedicated to his memory. Thousands of UOC faithful gathered at the Lavra to participate in the Divine Liturgy in the Transfiguration Cathedral and the procession. The event was shared in a video posted by the Pochaiv Listok Telegram channel and Mir.

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The State Security Service’s interest in former deputy Zaitsev stemmed from a picket outside the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.
In Latvia, former Daugavpils City Council deputy Yuriy Zaitsev has been summoned for a preventative discussion with the State Security Service on January 7 regarding his recent initiatives in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Zaitsev shared the summons on his Facebook page.
The State Security Service's interest was sparked by Zaitsev's involvement in organizing an international petition addressed to newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump and Senator James David Vance, calling for the protection of the canonical UOC from repressions in Ukraine. The petition, signed by dozens of individuals, was also supported by a picket held outside the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. Zaitsev, currently in Ireland, personally delivered the petition to the embassy.

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🇬🇧Latvian politician defending UOC summoned by State Security Service

🇺🇦У Латвії політика, який захищав УПЦ, викликали до Служби держбезпеки

🇬🇧THE UN RECOGNIZED THE LAW AGAINST THE UOC AS CRIMINAL. THE UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES VIOLATE ALL INTERNATIONAL NORMS❗️

🇺🇦ООН ВИЗНАЛА ЗАКОН ПРОТИ УПЦ ЗЛОЧИННИМ. ВЛАДА УКРАЇНИ ПОРУШУЄ ВСІ МІЖНАРОДНІ НОРМИ❗️

◾️On December 31, New Year's Eve, a report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was published.
It tells the results of the monitoring mission work in Ukraine in the period from September to the end of November 2024.

Back in September 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted, and President Zelensky signed a law that plans to destroy the largest and oldest Christian denomination in the country.

From that moment on, OHCHR promised to make its findings public.

And finally, international human rights activists gave an assessment of the totalitarian law banning the Church in Ukraine.

This assessment was a very disappointing gift on New Year's Eve for lobbyists for the persecution of Orthodox Christians...

https://youtu.be/RYUqaJ7pLW0

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#religious_discrimination
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The UN reports that the seizure was initiated by a group of unidentified individuals in camouflage without distinguishing marks.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has published a Report highlighting the events of October 17, 2024, in Cherkasy, which involved the forcible seizure of the Holy Michael Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and subsequent clashes between members of different religious communities.
According to the OHCHR report, on October 17, 2024, three consecutive incidents of violence occurred in Cherkasy involving supporters, clergy, and parishioners from various Orthodox communities.
"The series of events was initiated by a group of unidentified individuals wearing camouflage without insignia who forcefully evicted UOC clergy and parishioners from UOC premises around 4 a.m.," the report states.
The report further notes that, according to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), "at least 10 men and four women among their followers were injured and required medical treatment."
The OHCHR observes: "Law enforcement officers present on the site in at least two of these incidents did not appear to effectively separate supporters of different communities until late morning."
The police have announced the initiation of a criminal investigation "for hooliganism" in relation to the event. The OHCHR states that it "continues to monitor the authorities' reaction to the incident."

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🇬🇧UN awaits Ukrainian govt's response to seizure of UOC cathedral in Cherkasy

🇺🇦ООН чекає на реакцію української влади на захоплення собору УПЦ у Черкасах

Their primary focus was on how to take control of the UOC cathedral in Volodymyr.
On December 30, an expanded meeting of the commission "on monitoring the implementation of Volyn Regional Council decisions banning the activities of the UOC-MP and preventing its use of religious buildings that are state architectural monuments" was held in Lutsk. The meeting included deputies, representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Volyn Regional Council Chair Hryhoriy Nedopad, his First Deputy Yuriy Polishchuk, Deputy Head of the Volyn Regional State Administration Taras Shkiter, and law enforcement officials. This was reported on the Facebook page of the Volyn Regional Council.
The primary focus of the meeting was the situation surrounding the Dormition Cathedral of the UOC in the city of Volodymyr. According to Deputy Head of the Regional State Administration Taras Shkiter, "The religious community has filed an appeal, and as of today, the appellate proceedings have not yet been initiated."
The head of the temporary commission, Volodymyr Bondar, speculated that a court ruling would not come soon. In his view, the authorities "must, in cooperation with law enforcement and judicial bodies, do everything possible within the framework of the law to resolve the issue." He asserted that the matter was being addressed "not from the perspective of denominations, but solely from the standpoint of legal compliance."
The commission also discussed a complaint from the OCU regarding their inability to seize the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Kamin-Kashyrskyi.
"State officials performing their duties were denied access to this church three times. In response, law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case, but no suspicions have been officially announced yet," lamented Commission Chair Bondar.
The commission members asked the police to report at the next meeting on how they could assist in taking control of the Orthodox shrine.
Additionally, the OCU reported their failure to evict a UOC priest from his home in the village of Skulin, Kovel district. OCU representative Olha Boiko claimed that the priest refused to "transition" to their jurisdiction. To evict the clergyman from his residence, they appealed to the police but have not yet received a response.
The commission decided to contact the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) in the region to conduct a fire safety inspection of the house where the UOC priest resides.

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#illegal_prosecution
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#religious_discrimination
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🇬🇧In Volyn, OCU, authorities, and police discuss how to seize UOC churches

🇺🇦На Волині ПЦУ, влада та поліція вирішували, як краще відібрати храми в УПЦ

◾️An important part of the latest report of the UN human rights monitoring mission, raider attacks on UOC churches in Ukraine were mentioned.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded a bloody assault on the UOC St. Archangel Michael Cathedral in Cherkassy.

‘On 17 October 2024, OHCHR documented three consecutive incidents of violence between supporters, clergy and parishioners of various Orthodox communities in Cherkassy.
The series of events were initiated by a group of unidentified individuals wearing camouflage and no insignia, who forcibly expelled UOC clergy and parishioners from the UOC premises at around 4 a.m.
According to the UOC, at least 10 men and four women among their supporters were injured and required medical attention.’

The report states that the police have opened proceedings under the article on hooliganism. OHCHR will monitor the authorities' response to this crime.

The UN mission confirmed that the cathedral and the diocesan administration were and remain the property of the UOC Cherkassy Diocese.

Human rights activists recorded a brutal attack by hired gunmen in camouflage on the cathedral parishioners.

This refutes both the lying nonsense issued by the Cherkassy OCU after the mission's visit and the rhetoric of everyone who whitewashed this barbaric attack.

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A hierarch of the Church of Cyprus explained that "at the Divine Liturgy, everything becomes evident – who is canonical and who is not."
Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou of the Church of Cyprus stated in an interview with Romanian priest Ciprian Mega that His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry is the canonical Primate, while Epifaniy Dumenko is not.
The interview was published in Russian on the YouTube channel Ομιλίες Μητροπολίτου Μόρφου on December 29. However, the description indicates that the metropolitan gave the interview on August 8, 2024.
Reflecting on the concept of canonicity in the Church, Metropolitan Neophytos noted that "at the Divine Liturgy, everything becomes evident – who is canonical and who is not."
"For example," he said, "Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv is canonical. Epifaniy is not canonical," emphasized Metropolitan Neophytos.
He explained that the canonicity of Metropolitan Onuphry and the non-canonicity of Epifaniy Dumenko can be discerned during the Liturgy: "Where is this seen? At the Divine Liturgy – whom I commemorate and whom I do not."

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🇬🇧Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou: Onuphry is canonical, Epifaniy is not

🇺🇦Митрополит Морфський Неофіт: Онуфрій – канонічний, Єпіфаній – ні

The small churches where the UOC holds services in the Lavra are unable to accommodate all worshippers.
At the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, near the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, one of the few remaining accessible to the UOC, priests were forced to administer communion outdoors because the church could not hold everyone who wished to attend. A video was shared by the Save_Lavra Telegram channel.
"The small churches remaining with the brethren and believers cannot accommodate all the faithful," the monastery’s channel captioned the video.
The footage shows dozens of people gathered outside, receiving communion from chalices. Nearby, the Church of St. Agapitus of the Caves was also overcrowded with worshippers during the Liturgy.
It is worth recalling that access to the Lower Lavra, where the UOC monastery is located, was closed by authorities on August 10, 2023. Since then, parishioners of the Lavra's churches have had to find alternative locations for worship.

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🇬🇧UOC believers once again receive communion outdoors at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra❗️

🇺🇦У Києво-Печерській лаврі парафіян УПЦ знову причащали на вулиці❗️

The UOC community notes that a nearby OCU church is in a state of disrepair.
The community of the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Kremenchuk published a post on the cathedral’s Facebook page detailing events leading to the re-registration of the church in favor of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
"On July 1, 2024 (this is the date in their protocol), Oksana Kuchmenko and Olga Ponomarenko gathered 26 people in an unknown location – not on church premises, not in a park, but possibly in their home – and decided to seize the Holy Dormition Cathedral," the community states.
The post suggests that the meeting on which the re-registration was based might not have taken place at all: "Perhaps there were no meetings. They may have gone door to door to relatives to collect signatures – or even signed for everyone themselves. We do not know."
Documents submitted to the Poltava Regional State Administration led to the UOC religious community being stripped of its church without the congregation’s knowledge.
"They submitted unclear protocols to the Poltava RSA, and miraculously, without the knowledge of the UOC religious community, the re-registration took place. Suddenly, they consider themselves the new owners of the church and other community property. These are people who have done nothing for the cathedral, who never attended services, and who never prayed or entered the church."
The community also criticized the condition of the nearby OCU church: "Not far from the Dormition Cathedral is an OCU church that is always closed and in a state of neglect both inside and outside. The grounds are unkempt, and dirty windows are covered with rags. Liturgies are held once a week, starting at 12:00 p.m. for some reason, and there are no evening services at all."
Meanwhile, according to the community, the UOC’s Holy Dormition Cathedral regularly gathers hundreds of parishioners, unlike the 26 people mentioned in the OCU activists' documents.
"The OCU church is closed because no one attends it, so they think the UOC church should also be closed," representatives of the community conclude, hinting at the motives of the activists.

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🇬🇧Where OCU got documents for UOC cathedral in Kremenchuk becomes known

🇺🇦Стало відомо, звідки у ПЦУ документи на кафедральний собор УПЦ у Кременчуці

🇬🇧PARISHIONERS OF THE SEIZED UOC CHURCH PRAY IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDING. THE OCCUPIED SHRINE IS CLOSED

🇺🇦ПАРАФІЯ ЗАХОПЛЕННОГО ХРАМУ УПЦ МОЛИТЬСЯ В НЕДІЛЬНІЙ ШКОЛІ. ОКУПОВАНА СВЯТИНЯ ЗАЧИНЕНА

◾️ Today parishioners of the UOC Trinity Church in Pasichna village, Kyiv region, prayed again in an adapted room.

It has been two weeks since the church is occupied by local raiders from the OCU.

Orthodox Christians are forced to hold services in the premises of a Sunday school.

According to the rector of the church, Fr Ivan Omelchuk, the seized church was closed today.

The shrine suffered the fate of hundreds of churches occupied by OCU activists - a barn lock on the door and total emptiness.

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◾️ The parishioners of the UOC Assumption Cathedral in Kremenchuk tell the details of the raider seizure of the shrine by local OCU activists.

On 1 July 2024 (according to the protocol), Oksana Kuchmenko and Olga Ponomarenko, OCU activists who had never been parishioners of the cathedral, gathered 26 people in an unknown place and decided to seize the shrine.
It is not known for certain whether there was even an imitation of the meeting.

‘Perhaps there was no meeting at all, they went to the homes of relatives to put signatures, or perhaps they signed for everyone, we do not know.
They submitted incomprehensible protocols to the Poltava Regional State Administration and miraculously, without the knowledge of the UOC religious community, the re-registration happened. And as they present themselves, they became the new owners of the church and other property of the community.’
The UOC parishioners said that not far from the cathedral is the premises of the OCU. The building is always in a state of disrepair.
‘The territory is not looked after, and rags hang on the dirty windows. Liturgies are held once a week, which for some reason begin at 12.00, and there are no evening services at all. This is the liturgical life of the OCU raiders.’
The UOC believers stressed that there are several hundred parishioners of the cathedral, not ‘26’ as stated in the activists' protocol.

‘It is clear why the invaders of the OCU need the Holy Dormition Cathedral.
The OCU temple needs to be maintained, decorated, and put in good shape, and why do this if there is a beautifully maintained UOC church across the railway crossing.
According to their logic, it is better to take away the church from the UOC community rather than at least do something for their own church. Where you have not worked hard is always better. The UOC community has more parishioners, the church is in good shape, and services are held every day.
It is better to seize the UOC church so that it remains closed and people have no place to pray, rather than build their own OCU church.’

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🇬🇧REIDER CONSPIRACY OF A HANDFUL OF OCU ACTIVISTS IN CREMENCHUK. DETAILS OF THE CATHEDRAL SEIZING.

🇺🇦РЕЙДЕРСЬКА ЗМОВА КУПКИ АКТИВІСТІВ ПЦУ У КРЕМЕНЧУЗІ. ПОДРОБИЦІ ЗАХОПЛЕННЯ СОБОРУ

Police found evidence of a crime by the OCU representative, but the court justified the vandalism based on the accused's patriotic feelings.
The Dubno District Court of Rivne Region issued a ruling in a case involving a conflict between representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), reports Glavcom.
The case stemmed from the actions of an OCU chaplain who, on December 8, 2024, defaced the fence of the UOC's Holy Ascension Church with the inscription "collaborators of russia" and removed a Ukrainian flag displayed on the church property.
According to the administrative protocol, the OCU chaplain justified his actions by claiming that the Ukrainian flag could not be present on the premises of an institution he believed to be "serving Moscow." Police documented the vandalism, noting that the chaplain's actions violated public morality.
However, the court did not find evidence of a crime in his actions. The ruling stated:
"He committed these actions out of love and respect for Ukraine and the Ukrainian army... As a military chaplain and volunteer, he has an acute sense of justice and was unable to restrain himself. The court cannot consider his actions as disrespect toward society."

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🇬🇧Court: Chaplain who removed flag from UOC church acted "out of love for Ukraine"

🇺🇦Суд: капелан, який зірвав прапор із храму УПЦ, діяв «із любові до України»