Albanian Church stands in defense of the UOC

Archbishop Anastasios during a service. Photo: Albanian Church website

The Albanian Orthodox Church issued a statement in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), published on the official AOC website.

The statement emphasizes that "as Christmas approaches, calls for an end to the war in Ukraine are growing stronger."

The Albanian Orthodox Church reiterated the points made in its statement of August 26, 2024: "Persecutions, imprisonments, desecration of holy sites, and confiscation of church and monastic property are cruel acts. These actions become even more egregious when they are enacted by the legislative bodies of democratic countries."

The statement notes that "under the leadership of Metropolitan Onuphry, millions of Ukrainian Orthodox believers, numerous bishops, priests, monks, and nuns – all members of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church – are being persecuted."

"Sharing in the suffering of our persecuted brothers, we fervently pray for an end to the ongoing bloodshed, which has caused pain to the entire Ukrainian population without exception. We also pray for the repeal of this unjust law, the restoration of peace, and the unity of Orthodoxy, so it may continue fulfilling its universal mission," the Albanian Orthodox Church concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Archbishop Anastasios of Albania suggested convening a Pan-Orthodox Council on the situation in Ukraine.

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