Epifaniy calls Law 8371 a "historic decision"

Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: korrespondent.net

Epifaniy Dumenko, the head of the OCU, commented on the adoption of Bill No. 8371 in the Verkhovna Rada, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, calling it a "historic decision".

In a television marathon, as quoted by RBC-Ukraine, Epifaniy noted: "The parliament supported this bill in both the first and second readings. Therefore, we now have a truly historic decision. The law gives all religious structures that have not yet done so the opportunity to fully free themselves from Moscow's control."

Epifaniy once again called on the UOC to engage in dialogue: "We, on our part, repeatedly urge all Orthodox Christians in Ukraine who have not yet done so to finally throw off this Russian yoke. We are open to dialogue without preconditions." He emphasized that this call was recently directed to Metropolitan Onufriy and those who support him.

The head of the OCU also noted that Ukraine is proud of its high standards of freedom of conscience and added: "The aggressor should not have the opportunity to use our freedom against us."

Epifaniy stressed that for a community to transition, it must hold a meeting, make the corresponding decision, and amend its charter. He reaffirmed his readiness for dialogue: "We reach out, we are open, we have extended our hand to Metropolitan Onufriy, the episcopate, and the clergy with a call to start a dialogue without preconditions... We are ready for unity in this challenging time of war when the aggressor is trying to destroy us."

As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol stated that the appeal of OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko for unity with the UOC "is dictated not by a desire to be united with us in spirit and truth, but by other intentions far from these desires," and therefore, he urged not to compromise with those who serve worldly interests.

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