Address of UOC Holy Synod to be read out in all churches and monasteries

UOC believers at the service

On December 23, 2018, during the Sunday Liturgy in all churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the text of the Address of the Holy Synod of the UOC on the latest events in the religious life of Ukraine will be read out to believers, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine blessed to make the Holy Synod’s Address to archpriests, priests, monastics and believers (Journal No. 73), adopted on December 17 during an emergency meeting at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, publicly available for the clergy and laity of the UOC.

At the meeting, it was decided to ask the Primate of the UOC to inform the Primates of other Local Orthodox Churches about the results of the “Unification Council” in Ukraine and other events in the religious life of the country.

The Information and Education Department also reported that, as of the end of 2018, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has 12,092 religious communities and 12,409 clergymen, as well as 258 monasteries with 4,501 monks.

We recall that on December 17, 2018, the head of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine (OCU) "Metropolitan of Kiev" Epiphany Dumenko stated that the new religious organization created at the "Unification Council" on December 15, 2018, only has about 7,000 parishes.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.