ROCOR First Hierarch issues statement in defence of the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

DECR Communication Service, 24/11/2025

On 21^st November 2025, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, issued a statement, in which he explained the purpose of the meetings held earlier in Washington, denounced their misinterpretation in the media and expressed support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church suffering under ongoing pressure.

As Raskolamnet web portal reports citing the Union of Orthodox Journalists, Metropolitan Nicholas had visited Capitol Hill and participated in several meetings with the U.S. officials as a member of an inter-Orthodox delegation advocating the freedom of religion in Ukraine and recognition of the grievous plight of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The delegation acted under the auspices of the Society of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

Commenting his trip, Metropolitan Nicholas wrote, “It is a pity that our visits coincided with a media article that so misrepresented all our Churches, attempting to cast Orthodoxy in a negative light; but we were grateful that the actual reception we had by our political leaders in Washington was warm, filled with a desire for understanding and an awareness of our shared wish to work together for peace.”

“As Orthodox Christians, it is our particular responsibility to advocate for those who are members of our own household of Faith,” the ROCOR First Hierarch continued, “We therefore seek to ease pressures and hostile actions being directed against our brothers and sisters in Christ who belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, including the forced closure of their churches and violence directed against their clergy and people”.

As was reported by the western media, the Archons of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the United States had issued a statement, accusing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of persecuting and attacking the OCU members. The statement was made following the meeting of the Orthodox Churches’ delegation with the U.S. officials in Washington, during which they discussed the grievous plight of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

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ROCOR First Hierarch issues statement in defence of the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Patriarch

Department Chairman

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Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons