Serbian Patriarch: Example of the UOC shows totalitarianism is upon Ukraine

Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church sent a letter of support to Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv in response to the recent adoption of Law 8371 by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which is essentially aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In his message, the Patriarch expressed deep concern about the situation, emphasizing that a new form of totalitarianism is being introduced in Ukraine, targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

"With sorrow in our hearts, dear brother in Christ, we see that a new totalitarian rule is being introduced in Ukraine, as evidenced by the situation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," noted the Patriarch. He also recalled the difficult times the Serbian Church endured during World War II, when it faced repression from the fascist regime. The Patriarch highlighted that the current situation is different in that "today, the Sister Church in Ukraine is being persecuted by a supposedly democratic government composed of its own compatriots, which makes the situation even more grievous and absurd."

Patriarch Porfirije concluded that it is evident that the demotion of the UOC to a banned organization further legitimizes the ongoing persecutions, arrests, and oppression of its clergy and faithful, facilitating the further seizure of its property, or more accurately, repeating the Golgotha. This scenario crucifies the Church anew on the cross of suffering, while Ukrainian society is being taken back to the time of Roman persecutions of the Christian Church.

Patriarch Porfirije ended his letter with a call for prayers and hope for change: "Our prayers, our thoughts, and our sincere wishes that the leaders turn away from their insanity toward the knowledge of truth and justice, and that peace, fraternal love, and unity once again reign in your homeland, are constantly offered to the Lord from every heart of the ever-loyal Serbian people, whose boundless support and assistance you should never doubt."

As the UOJ reported earlier, the head of the Serbian Church called the persecution of the UOC an act of terror.

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