RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


 

Head of Ukrainian Orthodox Church makes a sit-down protest against war

ABOUT METROPOLITAN ONUFREY'S ATTENDANCE AT THE SOLEMN SESSION OF THE SUPREME SOVIET OF UKRAINE ON 8 MAY 2015

Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP), 8 May 2015

 

At the invitation of the leadership of the Ukrainian state, the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on 8 May participated in a solemn session of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine on the occasion of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the victory over nazism in Europe. During the speech by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, those present stood to greet the names of those who were honored with the title of Hero of Ukraine for participation in the defense of the fatherland in the east of our state. His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufrey did not respond to this speech in the way that all other guests and participants in the solemn session did, in order to emphasize that it is necessary to stop the war immediately! He has expressed respect more than once for all heroes who are defending the Ukrainian borders. However, there cannot be a justification for feeding the flames of a war which almost daily carries off the lives not only of soldiers but also defenseless citizens of Ukraine, including children. They are perishing on both sides of the frontline. Nobody is considering their deaths.

 

In accordance with the blessing of the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, believers are praying daily for peace and they are collecting funds, food, clothing, and medicines for the support of Ukrainian soldiers and the civilian population of the Ukrainian Donbass. Among those who were present in the parliamentary box for guests, and who stood to greet the names of the Heroes of Ukraine, there was not one who would, like His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufrey, frequently personally visit the war-scorched east of Ukraine. With his own eyes, and not from television screens, he has seen the human pain and therefore he has frequently urged everyone on whom it depends to immediately do everything possible in order to put an end to bloodshed. (tr. by PDS, posted 9 May 2015)


 

UPTsMP CLERICS DID NOT STAND IN RADA DURING READING OF NAMES OF ATO FORCES, HEROES OF UKRAINE

RISU, 8 May 2015

 

Representatives of UPTs (Moscow patriarchate) led by the primate of the church, Onufrey, did not rise during the solemn session of parliament when President Petro Poroshenko read names of heroes of Ukraine who received this title during the antiterrorism operation (ATO). This was reported by a correspondent of LV.ua.

 

Thus, the president told the audience that 21 soldiers received the title of hero of Ukraine, 10 of them posthumously. The hall greeted this list with applause and all in attendance stood, even foreigners, but not the representatives of UPTs(MP).

 

"I was not there personally, but I know that thereby the primate wanted to emphasize that he is categorically against the war. More than once he has emphasized special respect to heroes, but he also is against any armed actions. Because innocent people on both sides of the frontline perish. And more than once he has called to immediately end the war," an official spokesman for UPTsMP, Bishop Kliment, commented on this situation for a RISU correspondent. (tr. by PDS, posted 9 May 2015)



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