Conflict in Odessa: Military Academy denies the presence of UOC churches

Believers of the Odessa eparchy couldn’t attend the solemn divine service

The Military Academy of Odessa stated that there are no religious organizations on the territory of the educational institution, reports the portal 048.ua.

This position was voiced by the head of the Military Academy of Odessa, Major-General Oleg Guliak in the official response to the request of the GO "All-Ukrainian lustration".

The general explained that in 2002 the leadership of the then Institute of the Army created a room to meet the religious needs of servicemen and their families.

"Considering the fact that all the property, including the premises of the former Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, the Odessa Institute of the Army and the Military Academy, which is its legal successor, belongs to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, none of them was leased either to the community of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church or the Odessa eparchial administration of the UOC," the statement said.

The Military Academy underlined that the premises of the former Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church are used for pastoral work and do not belong to any religious denomination. At the same time, at present, the management concludes agreements on cooperation with the UGCC, UOC KP and Protestant churches of Ukraine.

As reported by the Odessa eparchy, the Academy authorities refused to conclude a lease agreement with representatives of the UOC.

At the same time, the Odessa eparchy signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Military Academy, which provides for the unhindered passage of clergymen and believers to the territory of the church.

On August 14, believers of the UOC were not allowed into the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, located on the territory of the Odessa Military Academy. Representatives of the Kiev "patriarchate" were allowed to enter the Academy's territory unhindered through the same checkpoint, arguing that the Congress of the military chaplains of the UOC KP and the UGCC took place on the territory of the higher establishment.
 

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