World News
Ukrainian government orders eviction of Orthodox Church from Kiev-Pechersk Lavra [Video]
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
- The Ukrainian government has ordered the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to relinquish control of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, a large monastery complex that includes the Holy Dormition cathedral and monastery, the church’s headquarters.
- The UOC, which is independent and not subordinate to the Moscow patriarchate, has been accused of being under Russian control and is facing escalating persecution.
- Despite appeals to the government to protect basic religious freedom, the UOC’s deadline to vacate the complex is on March 29, and fears of violent clashes with “radicals” loom.
The Ukrainian government has demanded that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) cede control of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, a monastery complex that has been the spiritual home of Orthodoxy in Ukraine since it was founded in 1051.
The government claims that the UOC is under Russian control, a charge that the UOC vehemently denies. The UOC has been the target of escalating persecution, which has been condemned by the church’s leader, Metropolitan Onufriy. The UOC provided significant humanitarian aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2022, and many of its churches have been destroyed by the Russian invasion.
The eviction of the UOC from the lavra marks a significant escalation in the persecution of the church. The UOC is independent and not subordinate to the Moscow patriarchate, and its leader,
Metropolitan Onufriy, has condemned the Russian invasion from the outset. The UOC has provided significant humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and many of its churches have been destroyed in the conflict.
Despite appeals to the government to protect basic religious freedom, the UOC’s deadline to vacate the complex is on March 29. Fears of violent clashes with “radicals” who have threatened to forcibly evict the UOC from the complex loom large.
The UOC is not the only target of persecution in Ukraine. The government has also gone after independent media outlets and opposition politicians. The United States provides funding to the Ukrainian government and therefore has some influence over its policies.
Unless action is taken to ensure that US tax dollars are not used to support religious persecution, there is a risk that the situation will deteriorate further. Such a scenario would likely be exploited by Russian propaganda outlets.
The UOC is an independent religious institution that has provided significant humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Its eviction from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which has been its spiritual home for centuries, is a clear violation of its religious freedom.
The situation is made more urgent by the threat of violence from radical groups. The United States and other countries that support Ukraine should take action to prevent the persecution of the UOC and other religious and political groups.
Source: theamericanconservative.com
CPO Bill
March 26, 2023 at 6:37 pm
That is bullschiff! Gone to far messing with the church!
RobertC
March 26, 2023 at 7:09 pm
Unfortunately, there are cases throughout history where churches have been very much involved in political issues – they cannot simply be “off-limits” when a country such as Ukraine is fighting for its very existence. Americans are in absolutely no position to determine the validity of the charges that the Ukrainian government is making., particularly when we have illustrated time and time again how easily we are manipulated by emotionally charged media stories like this one. There is an alarming number of neocons who seem to feel that Russia is totally justified in everything they do, and regularly smear the Ukrainian government at every opportunity. This is just as troubling to me as the mindless drivel coming from the woke left. It appears as if both roads lead straight to communism, and I’ll have no part of either one.
Daniela Fox
March 26, 2023 at 8:27 pm
You have no idea what you are talking about. Have you lived in Ukraine? Have you practice the Christian orthodox belief? Do u know anything about the history of Ukraine? You are showing ignorance! Educate yourself before you speak.
Vladimir Rurikid
March 27, 2023 at 1:34 pm
Amen and well said. See you in the camps when the Biden-Milley-Austen regime gets around to locking up for treason those of us who speak out against US involvement in this war.
Ginchi Roo
March 26, 2023 at 6:46 pm
Guess that’s what happens when the RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH WITH RUSSIAN PRIESTS
PLACING PUTIN AT THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY knowing to
protect the Treasonous of Ukraine; Russian spies and extortionists.
Lack of clarification is LYING and LYING BY OMMISION is still LYING/PROPAGANDA
and the world REALLY doesn’t need any more of that to divide it.
Destroyerman
March 26, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Ginchi Roo: Try to find a literate friend who could read you the article, which points out that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is independent of and therefore not subject to the Russian Orthodox patriarchate. The article also makes it clear that the Ukrainian Church is not the only institution which has incurred the disfavor of the Zelenskiy regime. (And by the way, that flurry of caps tell us all we to know about you.)
Mathew Molk
March 26, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Can’t be off limits? Why not? We allow Mosques in the US when their filthy koran specifically states that they must either convert all US citizens to islam or enslave and work to death, or outright kill all “Infidels” that refuse to convert. If we allow moslems, then they can allow Christians.
This can be our out. You go persecuting ANY group and all bets are off. Not so much and an expended piece of brass for them.
Mathew Molk
March 26, 2023 at 8:30 pm
You got that right. – I see nothing anywhere that says the UOC is headed by Putin.
This guy must watch “The View” a lot. They have a problem with well known facts too. ,,,, Then maybe he got that from MSNBC or CNN. It sounds like somthing they would publish.
Vladimir Rurikid
March 27, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Yep it sure does! No more American dollars or weapons or gear of war to Zelensky.
Vladimir Rurikid
March 27, 2023 at 1:36 pm
“Lying Propaganda”? Look in the mirror, bub.
Art Simpson
March 26, 2023 at 9:45 pm
Read all of the comments, found all interesting and informative! You have to take all of what the media says with a grain of salt!
Rosie46
March 26, 2023 at 10:07 pm
Zelinsky throws out the Orthodox church, but no problem with 45 biolabs sitting on the Russian border and supported by the Biden crime family. We need to get out of Ukraine.
Vladimir Rurikid
March 27, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Amen. N O O B…
Vladimir Rurikid
March 27, 2023 at 1:23 pm
This is an untenable act by the oppressive fascistic Zelensky regime. Ukraine has been part of the heart of Russia over 1100 years. This is purposeful persecution of Orthodox Ukrainian Christians by the American-backed Jews running the Kiev regime. Rough things to say, I realise, but truth knows no boundaries of propriety.