The Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, His Beatitude Metropolitan Rostislav expressed support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was reported by the press service of the Department for External Church Relations.
“This persecution, which has been going on for several decades and aims to replace the canonical Church with schismatic structures, has intensified significantly after the outbreak of the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and in recent days has taken on the character of an attempt to eliminate it,” the message says.
It is noted that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, has always declared and proved its apolitical and national character through statements. Despite this, she remained the target of countless attacks and attempts to discredit her. The campaign of hatred against representatives and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ended the other day with an order to withdraw the monastic brethren of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra from the monastery.
“Once the apostle James asked his contemporaries: “Does sweet and bitter water flow from the same source?” Can a fig tree produce olives, or a vine fig? (John 3:11). Regarding the actions that the state systematically takes against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the question is appropriate: “Is intimidation and persecution, restriction of religious freedoms in a free democratic society a violation of civil law?” the hierarch noted.
Metropolitan Rostislav stressed that “the contemporary Golgotha of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — the persecution of its clergy and mockery of the faithful — will not be forgotten by either God or history. Human words of support and participation from the Orthodox Sister Churches cannot eliminate all the harm, insults and wounds inflicted so far. Therefore, I turn to God with the words of prayer: “Remember, Lord, worldly authorities and all those in power. Give them a safe and lasting rest. Make them think well of Your Church and all Your people, so that under their contented rule we can live a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and holiness!
