Ukrainian delegation to Phanar head: There are no closed temples in Ukraine
Sealed UOC church in Boryslav, Lviv Region. Photo: 24tv.ua
On August 13, 2024, a delegation of Ukrainian officials and representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) informed Patriarch Bartholomew that there are no closed churches in Ukraine and that there are no major or minor religions, according to the website of the President's Office.
During the meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew, Deputy Head of the President's Office Olena Kovalska and Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky "discussed in detail the state of religious freedom in Ukraine, which, despite the war, is being deepened by Ukrainian society."
"The Ukrainian side is proud that there are no closed churches or major and minor religions in our country, and the voice of the few religious communities in the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations sounds as loud as the voice of the churches to which the majority of Ukrainians belong," the President's Office website stated.
Previously, the UOJ reported that on August 13, 2024, the "Life-Giving Spring" Church in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was sealed by the reserve authorities.
On May 16, 2024, the Church of the Tithes in Kyiv was demolished.
On April 6, 2023, authorities in Lviv used an excavator to demolish the UOC Church of St. Volodymyr Equal-to-the-Apostles.
The UOJ also released a video titled "Hollow Church of Ukraine", which details what is happening to the seized UOC shrines.
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.