The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfiry, has expressed alarm at the increased pressure and attempts by the Ukrainian government to completely ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The First Hierarch is convinced that the adoption of Law No. 8371 “serves a hidden purpose – to completely prevent the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from further fulfillment of its centuries-old saving mission among the heirs of ancient Kievan Rus”. This is reported by Patriarchia.ru.
“Being sincerely alarmed by the exponential growth of intolerance of the Ukrainian authorities towards the only canonical Church in Ukraine, we are particularly concerned about their intention to give legitimacy to this lawlessness through the adoption of discriminatory laws. Therefore, always and everywhere, according to the opportunities available to Us, we bear witness to the suffering of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, appealing to all the representatives of the international community who use their power to prevent this injustice. The highest archpastoral authorities of our Holy Church do not cease to call upon our faithful people to pray for the Ukrainian Orthodox brothers and, if possible, to provide material and non-material assistance to those who have suffered damage in the conditions of hostilities and as a result of persecution by the godless authorities”, – the Serbian Patriarch noted.
Patriarch Porphyry assured that he would continue to “pray diligently for the long-suffering Ukrainian Orthodox Church and continue to provide its hierarchy, clergy and believers with any other kind of support that would help them overcome all the trials they are currently experiencing”.
It is worth noting that the local Orthodox Churches have repeatedly expressed their attitude to the persecution and attempts to ban the UOC by the Ukrainian authorities. Earlier we reported that the Antioch Patriarchate expressed support for the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The Holy Synod of the Antiochian Church, held October 16-21, 2023, called for increased prayer for the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
