Ukrainian customs seize Patriarch Kirill’s Nativity epistle
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russian
"Sources in Ukraine have said that the local customs authorities seized copies of Patriarch Kirill's Christmas greeting earlier sent from Russia to be read out as per tradition during the holiday service on January 7," Vladimir Legoyda, the head of the Synodal Department for Church, Society and Media Relations, said on Telegram.
According to established tradition, the message is to be read at the festive Divine services on January 7 for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, but the employees of the state border service confiscated the copies of the message, citing non-compliance with certain formalities.
As Legoyda notes, the message can still be read in churches: “The times are not the same: It can be read with a smartphone. Let the attentive staff of the Ukrainian customs prepare for a new star on their epaulettes, since that’s more important to them than the star of Bethlehem.”
On December 24, 2018, Vladimir Legoyda said that the Russian Orthodox Church was ready for dialogue with the Phanar but would not give up the Truth.
Read also
OCU chaplain: A soldier should not feel guilty for killing enemies
According to a cleric of the OCU, the word “killing” should not even be used in this context.
AFU servicewoman punished by “being sent to the frontline” for defending UOC
An OCU representative explained how commanders punish UOC believers who defend their Church.
UOC church seized after OCU's and UGCC's provocation at soldier's funeral
Supporters of the UGCC brought the body of a soldier into the church, pressuring a UOC priest to conduct the funeral according to the Greek Catholic rite in an Orthodox church.
UOC hierarch calls on the faithful to pray for the return of seized shrine
Metropolitan Theodosiy urged the faithful to communal and personal prayer to Archangel Michael.
Russian Orthodox Church Primate: Christ did not condemn death penalty
The Patriarch added that, although the Church does not welcome the death penalty, it has never condemned it if this punishment is carried out in accordance with the law.
Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has requested criminal case files from the Vinnytsia City Court for cassation review.