Yelensky to EEA head: Critics of Ukrainian freedom of religion work for RF

V. Yelensky at a meeting with J. Wessels. Photo: DESS

On June 23, the Head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky held a meeting with the Secretary General of the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) Jan Wessels, during which they discussed religious freedom in Ukraine. This was reported by the DESS press service.

Yelensky assured Wessels that, "despite the war, Ukraine strives to maintain high standards in the field of religious freedom".

The report stated that "the parties discussed large-scale and well-funded attempts by Russian propagandists, diplomacy, and special services to discredit Ukraine in the international arena as an alleged violator of freedom of conscience and religious human rights". The specific individuals discussed were not mentioned in the report.

"The parties agreed that such attempts are aimed not only at weakening the support of Ukraine by the global European community but also at whitewashing Russia," the DESS press service says.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to Yelensky, the destruction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cannot be considered a violation of religious freedom.

Read also

Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos

The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.