Church of Antioch Synod appeals to world leaders due to persecution of UOC

Synod of the Church of Antioch. Photo: APC Facebook page

On April 25, 2023, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, chaired by Patriarch John X, held its 16th Extraordinary Session in Balamand, where members of the Synod addressed world leaders in connection with the religious situation in Ukraine. This was reported on the official Facebook page of the Patriarchate of Antioch.

The members of the Synod of the Church of Antioch expressed their solidarity with the brothers in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who are suffering from the hard times of the war and the injustice of religious persecution.

The statement of the Synod notes that the hierarchs of the Church of Antioch lifted up their prayers for the entire Orthodox world, imploring the Risen Lord to protect the Body of Christ from schisms and disorder.

The letter addressed to world leaders also refers to the situation around the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which, as noted in the Church of Antioch, the monks of the UOC rebuilt from the ruins.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Church of Antioch hoped to cancel the decision to evict the monks of the Kyiv Caves Lavra.

Read also

Media: Metropolitan Longin’s children released from the TRC

The release was made possible only thanks to the courageous and steadfast position of the metropolitan and the reaction of the entire Orthodox community.

Metropolitan Longin to Zelensky: Release my son from TRC

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed an appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Poll: Uniates and supporters of OCU are the most in favor of banning UOC

Among non-religious respondents, every fifth person is indifferent to this issue.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.