We are being liberated not from Moscow, but from Orthodoxy
It has been a year since the authorities almost closed the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to believers.
A video taken shortly before these events, capturing thousands of believers on the square in front of the Near Caves, evokes mixed feelings. Troubling and joyful at the same time.
If we look at the confrontation between the current Ukrainian authorities and the Church, which has taken the form of real severe persecution for the past year and a half, we notice one thing. Authorities and strong men are seizing churches and monasteries from the Church under the slogan: "Let's free Ukrainian Orthodoxy from Moscow oppression." But this implies that grateful Ukrainian citizens will pray in the "liberated" churches. However, the opposite is happening: the seized churches are empty, with almost no one in them. It has become clear over the past year and a half that this is not an isolated incident but a general trend. This is evident to everyone: the persecutors, the persecuted, and mere bystanders. As a result, no "liberation" is happening; the churches are simply being taken away from believers. This is a terrible absurdity.
There is a war, our people are defending their freedom and independence on the battlefield, enduring economic hardships, and bearing an enormous load of psychological stress. Under these circumstances, any government should be opening churches so that people can find some comfort there. So they can find support and strength in prayer to God to continue living in this country and fighting for its freedom and a better future. Even the cruel and criminal Stalinist regime opened churches and released priests from prison during the war. But we are experiencing the opposite. People are being deprived of their last hope. How can this be explained? It seems that someone is deliberately creating discord and conflict within our society. Someone is deliberately sowing hatred and animosity among people within the country. Someone is trying to eradicate the Orthodox faith altogether. The false narratives about "liberation from Moscow oppression" are becoming evident to everyone. We are being liberated from Orthodoxy!
Such reflections can only be called joyful in the Gospel sense. This is not psychological joy. It is the joy of those who, despite threats and intimidation, despite beatings, imprisonment, and loss of property, despite the unbearable psychological burden and lack of human prospects, remain faithful to Christ and His Church. This is what the Apostle James wrote about: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).
It is very hard not to despair, not to lose faith in God's mercy. It is very hard to believe in Divine Providence when it is nowhere to be seen. It is hard to hope when there is no hope. It is very difficult to win this spiritual battle. But we must remember the words of Revelation: "The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3:21-22).
Lord! Strengthen us!
