On April 10, 2024, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was held at the Holy Pantheleimonov Monastery of the UOC in Theophany. The members of the meeting reacted to the possible adoption in the Verkhovna Rada in the second reading of the bill No. 8371, aimed at banning the activities of the UOC and its actual liquidation. This is reported by the official website of the UOC.

“Of particular concern is the bill No. 8371 “On Amending Certain Laws of Ukraine regarding the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine”, initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Under the pretext of protecting national security, its norms are aimed not only at the liquidation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is the largest religious association in our country, but also at violating the fundamental right to freedom of religion, which is guaranteed by the state to each of its citizens,” said Metropolitan Antony (Pakanich), the manager of the UOC.

The bishop added that the Ukrainian parliament should refrain from passing such a discriminatory law so as not to provoke internal conflict in Ukraine.

“The Holy Synod believes that this bill is such that it will contribute to incitement of religious hatred and intolerance. In addition, the bill violates the principle of autonomy of the religious community and is aimed at interference in the internal activities of religious organizations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In this regard, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church calls on the people’s deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine not to adopt this bill,” the hierarch said.