Clergy of Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC support Metropolitan Luke

Clerics of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have supported their ruling bishop, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, who has been sanctioned by the NSDC.

The clergy of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy expressed their "surprise and indignation" at the sanctions imposed on Metropolitan Luke by the NSDC.

In their opinion, the move "actually demonstrates an attitude towards the entire Zaporizhzhia clergy and its multi-thousand flock."

"The Zaporizhzhia Eparchy is not only churches and monasteries but also Orthodox believers – citizens of Ukraine who are deeply offended by the attitude towards their bishop," the priests stressed.

They recalled that Bishop Luka, "risking his life, personally transported our fellow citizens to the city of Zaporizhzhia from the occupied territories", and the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of the UOC only for the current year gave the victims of military operations and AFU soldiers "more than 5 million hryvnias” in aid.

Thus, the sanctions, according to the clerics, are "essentially a rejection of the aid that the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the citizens of Ukraine, are trying to give."

"Is the Constitution for a state governed by the rule of law just words, a mere name? We have helped and continue to help everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, and instead of gratitude we receive another dose of dirt on our hierarch," the priests said.

They stressed that they pray for Ukraine and the people, believe that Ukraine is a state governed by the rule of law, and expressed hope that "justice will prevail and sanctions will be lifted from our Metropolitan Luke".

Earlier, Metropolitan Luke commented on the sanctions imposed on him by the National Security and Defence Council.