Following the seizure of UOC cathedral in Cherkassy, hierarch of Malankara Church conveyed “heartfelt prayers and solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, especially with Metropolitan Feodosiy, the clergy, and the faithful who are undergoing such tribulations”

DECR Communication Service, 21/10/2024

Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos of the Diocese of UK–Europe and Africa of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church sent a letter to Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, in the wake of the seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Cherkassy. In his letter, Metropolitan Abraham Stephanos wrote, in particular:

“It is with great sorrow and indignation that I write to express my deepest concern over the recent raid and violent seizure of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Cherkassy on October 17th. The attack upon Metropolitan Feodosiy of Cherkassy and Kanev, the clergy, and the faithful by armed men in camouflage and balaclavas, accompanied by the use of tear gas, is a shocking and grievous act. This kind of brutality, targeting Orthodox believers in their sacred place of worship, stands as a violation of the dignity of the Church and the faithful.”

Having mentioned the ongoing persecutions against Orthodox Christians in Ukraine, the hierarch of the Church of India added, “We wish to convey our heartfelt prayers and solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, especially with Metropolitan Feodosiy, the clergy, and the faithful who are undergoing such tribulations. The faithful here join me in praying for peace, justice, and the strength to endure in these difficult times. In the spirit of Christian love, we are reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words: ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together’ (1 Corinthians 12:26). We stand together with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, united in prayer, as they bear this cross.”

“Please know that we will continue to lift up the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the clergy, and the faithful in our prayers, asking for God’s mercy and intervention, that peace may be restored, and His Church protected from harm,” Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos wrote in conclusion of his letter.

Print publication

Following the seizure of UOC cathedral in Cherkassy, hierarch of Malankara Church conveyed “heartfelt prayers and solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, especially with Metropolitan Feodosiy, the clergy, and the faithful who are undergoing such tribulations”

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons