More persecution for the Canonical  Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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Vladimir Legoyda, chairman of the Department for Church, Society, and Media for the Russian Holy Synod, a sort of church parliament, recently spoke on religious radio Vera about the problems facing canonical clergy and faithful in Ukraine. Events are so serious that the recent meeting was presided over by Patriarch Kirill himself. Legoyda described the current situation not just as "a struggle with the canonical Church and Orthodoxy", but as a serious "blow to religious life in Ukraine.”

And all attempts by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to show loyalty to the current government in an "effort to protect itself" could not lead to favorable results," stated Legoyda, pointing out that the manifestations of nationalism observed in the cultural space of Ukraine are clearly "anti-Christian and anti-religious in nature."

We here at Global Orthodox have been reporting recently about the persecution occurring to believers and their clergy in Ukraine, as well as some of the takes secular officials have had to it. Now the Church has also had a meeting, discussing similar topics, like the stripping of clerics of Ukrainian citizenship, but also new oppressions, like giving the schismatic church in Ukraine access to the Kiev Pechersk Lava, an ancient and important holy monastery, where they held a Christmas liturgy, while purposefully excluding the canonical UOC. There is even talk of transferring part of the monastery to the schismatics. And the Holy Synod in Russia rightfully wonders what will stop Ukrainian authorities in the future from handing over the entire monastery to the schismatics.

The meeting chaired by the Patriarch also discussed possible developments and reiterated the importance of appealing to international religious and human rights organizations.

Radio Vera hostess Maria Borisova speculated about what could happen to the clergy stripped of citizenship, and whether this could be a prelude to prison terms or worse.

The Synodal Department noted, however,  a generally "high level of religiosity" in Ukraine, describing "the Ukrainian Orthodox society as devoted and deeply religious people," reiterating that  the problem mostly stemmed from the government of Ukraine and not the common people, the overwhelming majority of which still support the canonical UOC.

The Russian Church hierarchy and media continue to watch the deteriorating situation for Ukrainian Orthodox faithful with concern.  

Read more about this developing story here. (In Russian)

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