MDA Rector says why he was refused entry into Ukraine

Archbishop Ambrose of Vereya, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy

The hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ambrose, who was denied entry into Ukraine, considers the reason for the refusal of the Ukrainian border guards to be far-fetched. He reported this on his Telegram channel on November 7.

“The paper issued to me by the border guards officially stated a plain pretext: ‘cannot confirm the purpose of the intended stay on the territory of Ukraine’,” wrote the Rector of the MDA, who had planned to take part in the Divine services on the Day of St. Nestor the Chronicler and in the Annual Act of the Kiev Theological Academy.

Vladyka Ambrose said that he had with him all the necessary documents and he presented them to the representatives of the State Border Service of Ukraine. However, he was denied entry: “Of course, I had an invitation from the KDA Rector Bishop Sylvester with me, and my accommodation was planned together with other guests at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Hotel. When I told them about this and asked how to understand the reason indicated, they did not answer me.”

The archbishop also said that already an hour before his arrival in Kiev the group of the “autocephalous church of Ukraine” reported that the hierarch was going to the country and urged not to let him in, accusing almost of collaboration with the KGB. Vladyka Ambrose also recalled today's statement by Petro Poroshenko, according to which the priests of the Russian Orthodox Church "have nothing to do" in Ukraine.

“For me, this situation is an illustration of “love”, about which Patriarch Bartholomew has talked so much lately, putting it in opposition to the actions of the “Northern brothers”, that is the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church,” wrote Archbishop Ambrose.

As the UOJ reported, President Poroshenko stated that the “representatives of the Russian Church” had nothing to do in Ukraine, and recommended them to go “home”.

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