UOC spokesperson: Voluntariness is key to vaccination

The Church has a calm and balanced attitude to the issue of vaccination, Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich said in an interview with the Peace and Development Foundation.

"In accordance with the position of our Church, the priest can neither force nor forbid a person to be vaccinated. He/she has to decide for himself. Vaccination is not a religious but a medical issue," stressed Fr Nikolai.

The UOC spokesman said that, in the opinion of the Church, human rights should not be restricted in this matter.

"The most important thing in vaccination is that it should be voluntary. And everything else: which vaccine is better, what are the side effects, what are the consequences and so on, is a question for the doctor," resumed Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the spokesperson for the UOC noted the excesses in Ukraine in matters of free choice for or against vaccination against coronavirus.

Read also

MP shows video from Cherkasy that sparked persecution of a UOC cleric

Provocateurs invaded the cathedral in Cherkasy, having a verbal altercation with the clergy.

The Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

On July 12, on the feast day of the apostles Peter and Paul, the Orthodox Christians conclude the Peter's Fast.

In Rudnia, OCU supporters, accompanied by police, seize a UOC church

The church was transferred to the OCU against the wishes of parishioners back in April 2024.

Rouen Cathedral on fire in France

The cause of the fire is being determined.

Excommunicated Archbishop Viganò says he will continue his ministry

The excommunicated archbishop announced his intention to continue celebrating the Eucharist for his supporters.

Pope commissions Dicastery to study the issue of female diaconate

The study will focus on "the question of the necessary participation of women in the life and leadership of the Church."