Abbess Seraphim: Banning the UOC is a collapse of religious life of Ukraine

Abbess Seraphim is on the far right. Photo: Facebook
Abbess Serafima (Shevchik), abbess of the Odessa Archangel-Michael Convent, believes that the ban on the UOC will lead to the collapse of religious life in Ukraine.
On her Facebook page, she wrote that the ban on the UOC would lead to grave problems in Ukraine. “The first issue is the closure of thousands of churches. While in the west, in particular in Galicia, from 1 to 15 percent of churches will have to be closed, then in the center – from 50 percent or more. In the east and south, up to 90 percent of the existing Orthodox churches are subject to closure!”
“Let's imagine that, for example, churches and monasteries are closed all over Odesa, or in Kharkiv, or in Mykolayiv or Kherson! This is the planned mass ‘anti-church blackout’,” writes the abbess.
According to her, "this is a very serious problem for local bodies, including law enforcement agencies: the process of closing, control, countering the resistance of believers." She emphasizes that “the units of the National Police and the Terodefense may not be sufficient” and asks, “What then – fetch the military from the front?”
“The second aspect is the transfer of temples to the OCU. The OCU does not have the clergy to fill all these premises. Services will stop. Although in fact they will continue, only in other locations: in apartments, in rented halls, or even right on the street at the gates of the believers’ native churches and monasteries,” Mother Seraphima is sure.
She believes that in this case, “religious life will enter a state of collapse,” and “the whole world will be watching the videos and photos of the closed doors of thousands of church buildings and crowds of believers who were expelled from there and who pray in the open air.”
“The danger is also that the regions where several hundred churches will be simultaneously closed border on the aggressor country. Russia will immediately use these actions to step up its propaganda and accuse state authorities of discriminating against its own citizens on religious grounds,” warns the abbess of the convent in Odessa.
She also notes that “during martial law, state bodies will be able to stop the services of the UOC due to the ban on mass gatherings.” However, “in case of disobedience of believers, forceful methods against worship will cause human discontent, which will not contribute to improving the image of Ukraine in the democratic world. So here is the picture, ladies and gentlemen,” summed up Abbess Seraphim.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Abbess Seraphim, the enthusiasts for the ban on the UOC are Soviet atheists.
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.