On August 16, 2024, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine participated in a teleconference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.
The discussion focused on several critical issues, including the protection of Ukraine’s spiritual independence and the reduction of Russian influence on Ukraine’s religious affairs, particularly through proposed legislation by the Verkhovna Rada. Additionally, they addressed matters concerning the protection of constitutional order, public safety, and human rights amid the ongoing aggression by the aggressor country.
“In recent months, we have all witnessed a blatant attempt by religious centers in Russia, which are effectively controlled by the Kremlin, to provide a pseudo-spiritual justification for the aggressive war against Ukraine.
They have made statements declaring this a ‘holy war,’ denying the very existence of the Ukrainian nation, and insisting that only the ‘great Russian people’ exist—echoing the familiar rhetoric of the ‘Russian world’ ideology.
It is imperative that we work together to halt this invasion, to shield the Ukrainian religious community from being manipulated by Russian centers against Ukraine, and to protect the true religious freedom that our country can rightfully be proud of,” said the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine during the meeting.
The Metropolitan expressed his support for the proposals discussed during the meeting and extended his best wishes to the President for success in his efforts.
UCCRO condemns Russian Orthodox Church as “accomplice” to aggression against Ukraine
During the meeting, the UCCRO, in a statement, strongly condemned the Russian Orthodox Church, calling it “an accomplice to the bloody crimes of the Russian invaders” and criticized its role in supporting the destruction of Ukrainian statehood, culture, and identity.
The Council reiterated its April 11, 2023, stance that “no organization – whether religious or secular – that has its center in a country that has committed military aggression against our people” should be allowed to operate in Ukraine, supporting legislative efforts to enforce this.
Despite the war, the UCCRO affirmed that “religious rights and freedoms are respected in Ukraine,” highlighting the ongoing opportunities for believers to express their faith. However, they identified the “Russian aggression” as the main threat to religious freedom, pointing out the destruction of “hundreds of churches and houses of worship” and the killing of clergy by Russian forces.
The Council concluded by expressing their belief that protecting religious freedom and spiritual independence will “help consolidate our society for the sake of our victory and the establishment of a long-awaited just peace.”
Source: pomisna
