In an interview with Orthodox Times, the speaker of the OCU “archbishop” Yevstratiy Zorya spoke about how officials and supporters of the new church structure “suffer” from the UOC in Ukraine.

“The Russian Orthodox Church creates obstacles in all parishes that recognize the Tomos, at all stages of the process – from the announcement of parish meetings to the moment of passing court decisions. They use pressure on government officials and priests, threats, bribery, communication war. They try to make noise in the media, in order to intimidate those who want to join the Church of Ukraine,” the “archbishop” noted.

“At first, when the Tomos of autocephaly was given, there was the first big wave of confessions, about 700 parishes (previously, the OCU declared about 600, of which slightly more than 80 were confirmed in the UOC, – Ed.). Now, in my opinion, it is approaching a new wave of transitions of parishes that are ready to recognize the Tomos. And this wave will begin soon”, announces a new wave of attacks on the UOC Zorya.