Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia: Immediately stop persecution of the UOC

Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia. Photo: Archbishop Theodosios' Facebook Page

Archbishop Theodosios of Sebastia, a hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, declared that terrible acts are being committed against the canonical UOC in Ukraine with the participation of Western political structures and in collaboration with "well-known church organizations". This activity is aimed at destroying and replacing the UOC, reports the press service of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church (DECR ROC).

"As we begin the fast before the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, we offer fervent prayers for the cessation of the war in Gaza and for the establishment of true peace throughout the world. We also pray for Ukraine, for the peace and well-being of its people. We are deeply saddened that the unprecedented persecution against the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine, led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, continues unabated. The Kyiv authorities persecute the Church as if their goal is the complete destruction of this ancient Church, rich in history, whose foundation dates back to the early days of Christianity in Ukraine," wrote Archbishop Theodosios in a statement.

The hierarch of the Jerusalem Church mentioned that during the current persecution, churches are being destroyed and looted, donations are being stolen, bishops and priests are being arrested, and laity who refuse to renounce the Church are being persecuted. Archbishop Theodosios expressed outrage that all of this is happening in full view of the world, which watches but does nothing.

"Where are all the Christian Churches during these severe persecutions, and why do we see a state of silent indifference in the face of these unjust actions? Where are all the human rights organizations and institutions in our world? Those who claim to care about democracy, the observance of freedoms, and the protection of human rights, and even animal rights, but ignore and turn a blind eye to these unjust actions and cruel persecutions against the ancient Orthodox Church, which is the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church," he wrote.

Archbishop Theodosios reminded the Christian Churches of their duty to oppose this persecution and demand its immediate cessation.

"We demand swift and concrete actions aimed at stopping the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," he underscored.

"During the Dormition Fast, we fervently pray in the Gethsemane Church before the empty tomb of the Queen of Heaven, asking for the intercession, blessing, and prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos for the preservation of the persecuted martyr Church in Ukraine, so that the Lord God may enlighten the conscience of all involved and that measures may be taken to stop these unjust and terrible persecutions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," concluded the hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church.

As previously reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ), the hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church had earlier called on the Kyiv authorities to cease their aggressive actions and the unacceptable and unjustified persecution of the UOC.

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