On August 16, 2024, the hierarch of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia, issued a statement saying:
«As we begin our fast before the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we offer fervent prayers for the end of the war in Gaza and the enthronement of true peace throughout the world. We also pray for Ukraine, for peace and prosperity for its people. We are very saddened that the unprecedented persecution against the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine, led by Metropolitan Onufryi, continues unabated. The Kiev authorities persecute the Church as if their goal is the complete destruction of this ancient Church, rich in its history, the foundation of which dates back to the beginning of the birth of Christianity in Ukraine.
The accomplices and conspirators of these terrible acts against the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine are Western political forces, which are making every possible effort to destroy, put an end to its existence and find an alternative to it. To great regret, all this is happening in close cooperation with well-known church organizations.
It is regrettable and sad that under the current persecution there is destruction and looting of churches, embezzlement of donations, arrests of bishops and priests, persecution of them and those believers who do not want to change their church affiliation. Unfortunately, today all this is happening before our eyes, and the whole world is watching, but no one is doing anything.
Where are all the Christian Churches during these times of severe persecution, and why do we observe a state of silent indifference in the face of these unjust actions?"
Where are all the Christian Churches during these times of severe persecution?
Where are all the human rights organizations and institutions of our world? Those that claim to care about democracy, respect for freedoms and protection of human rights and even animal rights, but ignore and turn a blind eye to these unjust actions and cruel persecutions against the ancient Orthodox Church, which is the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
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We would like to remind all Christian Churches of the world, especially the Orthodox Churches, of their spiritual, religious, ecclesiastical and moral duty to reject and oppose these persecutions and demand their immediate cessation. We demand swift and concrete action to end the persecution against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
As St. Paul says, if one member suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Cor. 12:26). And today, when the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is a crucified and suffering, persecuted and persecuted Church, the duty of each of us — to support and defend her until these systematic and unjust acts against her will not cease.
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In the period of the Dormition fast, we pray diligently in the Church of Gethsemane before the empty tomb of the Queen of Heaven, asking for the intercession, blessing and prayers of the Most Holy Mother of God for the preservation of the persecuted martyr Church in Ukraine, so that the Lord God may enlighten the conscience of all those involved, and measures may be taken to stop these unjust and terrible persecutions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church».
EOCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
