The Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, made a statement regarding the events in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. It is noted that His Beatitude also sent a letter to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in connection with these events. This was reported by the Information and Educational Department of the UOC.

On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Tikhon stated the following: “We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and condemn any violent aggression, including the invasion of the Russian Federation into the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Recognizing the legitimate need of states to ensure their security, especially in time of war, we also condemn the restriction of religious freedom of any group of the population in Ukraine and especially condemn any general religious persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry. Once again, we assure Metropolitan Onufry, his clergy, and the Ukrainian faithful, who are beset by misfortunes on all sides, that the Orthodox Church in America is ready to support the Ukrainian Orthodox Church both with our prayers and with other means at our disposal.”