Department for External Church Relations
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Primate of Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia supports canonical Church in Ukraine
DECR Communication Service, 04.04.2023.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia has made a statement in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
“In the days of the fifth week of this year’s Lent, when the spiritual repentance of Orthodox Christians culminates, the unjust and unforgivable persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian state authorities culminates, too,” said Metropolitan Rastislav in his statement and continued to say: “The persecution that has been going on for several decades with the aim to replace the canonical Church with schismatic structures has grown in intensity after the outbreak of military conflict between Ukraine and Russia and these days is turning into an attempt of liquidation.”
“The Ukrainian Orthodox Church headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kiev and All Ukraine has always stated and proved her indifference towards politics and her national character. Yet, she has remained the target of countless attacks and attempts to discredit her. The hate campaign against representatives and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has culminated in the order to evict the brethren from the Kiev Lavra of the Caves.
“St. James once asked his contemporaries: ‘Does a spring pour forth from the same opening fresh water and brackish? Can a fig tree yield olives, or a grapevine figs?’ (Jas 3:11)… Are intimidation and persecution, violation of civil rights and restriction of religious freedom permissible in a free and democratic society? It is a pertinent question to the authorities on their steps taken systematically against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
“Neither God, nor history will ever forget the present Golgotha of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – the persecution of her clergy and humiliation of her faithful.
“Human words of support and compassion of the Orthodox Sister Churches cannot rectify all harm, grievances and wounds inflicted so far. Therefore I appeal to God with the words of the prayer from the Anaphora of St. Basil the Great: ‘Remember, O Lord, the civil authorities and all those who are in high positions, grant them profound and everlasting peace; instill into their hearts good things for your Church and for all your people, so that, in their tranquility, we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity,’ said His Beatitude in conclusion.
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