UGCC cleric: UOC churches are attended by illiterate and brainwashed people

UGCC monk Makariy Dutka. Photo: Dutka’s Facebook page

Makariy Dutka, a cleric of the UGCC’s Univ Lavra, called Ukrainian parishioners of the UOC “brainwashed” and illiterate during an appearance on the Europeans program on Espreso.

According to Dutka, he feels “sad when educated people cling to this Church and do not want to transfer” to the OCU. He stressed that the parishes joining Dumenko’s structure are “very small, tiny parishes.”

“Even when some large cathedral is taken, only a small handful of people remain in it who have transferred. It is sad that this is the case,” Dutka complained.

He explained the situation by claiming that UOC parishioners are under “very strong, long-running propaganda” and that their “brains are soaked” in it. In his view, this is the main reason people refuse to change their religious affiliation.

The UGCC cleric also singled out believing athletes who attend UOC churches, mentioning boxer Vasyl Lomachenko in particular. According to Dutka, the fact that the well-known athlete “serves in church and posts it publicly” is explained by the same “brainwashing.”

The hieromonk also recounted a case involving an Orthodox priest he met at a powerlifting competition. According to the UGCC cleric, the man was “ashamed” to admit he belonged to the UOC. Makariy Dutka added that, in his observation, UOC believers “are embarrassed by it, but godlessly cling to this Church.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Makariy Dutka said he saw nothing wrong with raising money for drones.

Read also