Holy Synod states violation of UOC believers’ rights

The meeting of the Holy Synod of the UOC of April 10, 2024. Photo: news.church.ua

On April 10, 2024, the Holy Synod of the UOC announced the violation of the rights of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

The Holy Synod, chaired by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, met at the Holy Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania, Kyiv, to discuss the current state of compliance with the rights to freedom of religion in relation to believers and religious organizations of the UOC.

During the session, the Synod also adopted the text of the Synodal Statement, reflecting the Church's position regarding the violation of the rights to freedom of religion of believers and religious organizations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

In particular, it is emphasised in the Statement that "hierarchs, priests, and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are subjected to criminal prosecution on trumped-up charges. Churches and other property are taken away, and religious communities are unlawfully re-registered into the newly-formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Nearly a thousand and a half churches have already been seized to date. Local self-governments take unlawful decisions to ban the use of property by religious organisations of our Church."

In light of the above, the Synod decided to inform Local Orthodox Churches, foreign countries, and international human rights organizations about this issue.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the first session of the Holy Synod of the UOC this year began in Feofania.

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