UOC priest: We do not escalate conflict despite being oppressed by OCU

Dialogue between UOC and OCU representatives on Rivne 1 TV. Photo: Screenshot from the New Rules program

When temples are seized, UOC believers go to pray at homes and on the street, but do not go into conflict with supporters of the OCU, said Archpriest Oleksandr Maksymyuk on the air of the Rivne 1 TV channel.

"Now the main thing is not to harm our country during the war, and I tell people that. When we lose a temple, people stay, and we do not conflict. I tell them – these are Ukrainians just like us, they decided so, we respect their choice. And our people, who remain citizens of Ukraine and faithful to our Church, do not show aggression. They stay at homes, in adapted premises," said Fr. Oleksandr. 

As the UOJ previously reported, the former head of the Rivne Regional Council in his fight against the UOC is guided by the either-we-or-they principle.

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.