UPTs SUMY DIOCESE DELIVERS BODY ARMOR AND OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO TROOPS
The Sumy diocese of UPTs delivered to troops of the "Sumy" 15th battalion of territorial defense body armor and other protective equipment, acquired at the expense of the diocese.
A UNIAN correspondent reports that the delivery of the equipment occurred today, 20 November, in the cathedral church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in the city of Sumy.
According to information of Archbishop of Sumy and Aktyrka Evlogy, the equipment underwent special inspection at the shooting range and its quality was found to meet the highest level of protection.
The vladyka performed a kneeling prayer for
peace in Ukraine
and also sprinkled the equipment with holy water. The Sumy
archpastor addressed
the troops with words of farewell and hope for immediate
completion of armed
actions and a blessed return to civilian life. (tr. by PDS,
posted 22 November
2014)
Background articles:
ARCHBISHOP EVLOGY REQUESTS PROTECTION OF CHURCHES FROM ENCROACHMENT OF KIEV PATRIARCHATE
Archbishop of Sumy and Akhtyrka Evlogy sent to the head of the Sumy province, Vladimir Shulga, a letter in which he requests assurance of the inviolability of church property of parishes of the Sumy diocese from encroachment by the so-called Kiev patriarchate, Pravoslavie v Ukraine reports.
The letter, published on the website of the Sumy diocese, says in particular:
"Recently I have received numerous appeals of residents of various districts who are parishioners of churches of the Sumy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The people are alarmed that on the part of the leadership and representatives of the Sumy diocese of UPTsKP actions are being undertaken aimed at the artificial exacerbation of interconfessional relations in the Sumy region.
In particular, people report that the so-called "Archbishop Mefody" is visiting district state administrations of the Sumy region and in discussions with their leaders he delivers the demand of transfer to parishes of UPTsKP church property of existing parishes of the Sumy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church or, at least, to begin alternating services in churches belonging to these religious communities. The main argument for such claims refers to the special patriotic services of their religious organization and the artificial creation of the image of an enemy out of Orthodox parishioners of the Sumy diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Archbishop Evlogy emphasizes that "people are minded to defend decisively their legal rights and liberties and to protect church property from encroachment."
The ruling bishop of the Sumy diocese asked the governor "to devote all energies so that Orthodox believers may freely profess their faith and construct the life of their religious communities within the framework of rights and liberties guaranteed by the legislation of Ukraine. And also to ensure the inviolability of church property of parishes of the Sumy diocese from encroachment by representatives of other religious and other organizations."
Earlier "Archbishop Mefody," despite frequent requests from high officials of the Sumy province and the city of Sumy, has personally refused to sign a joint statement of leaders of political and public organizations and confessions of the Sumy region on questions of maintaining interconfessional peace and public order in Sumy region of 27 February 2014. (tr. by PDS, posted 22 November 2014)
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