By Konstantinos Menyktas
Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia has expressed his support and condemnation of the alleged persecutions by Ukrainian authorities against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In a letter to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, he emphasizes the strong connection between the UOC and the Moscow Patriarchate despite claims of autonomy by Metropolitan Onufriy.
The letter, available on the Moscow Patriarchate’s website, addresses the persecution linked to Ukrainian Bill 8371, as highlighted by Patriarch Kirill. Patriarch Porfirije accuses Ukrainian authorities of attempting to disrupt the unity of the UOC instead of focusing on resolving the conflict between the two nations. This perspective seems to overlook the root cause of the conflict, which is Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian territories.
Patriarch Porfirije commends the resilience of the UOC hierarchs, describing them as enduring challenges with faith and strength. He alleges that these hierarchs are facing unjust trials and harsh punishments for crimes they did not commit.
Furthermore, he claims that the conflict is being used as an excuse to suppress the UOC’s activities and transfer its assets to the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) led by Metropolitan Epifaniy, whom he criticizes as a “pseudo-Church.”
The Patriarch of Serbia pledges to continue advocating for the UOC, urging the international Christian and global community to acknowledge and address the reported injustices against the UOC. He calls for immediate action to stop the alleged lawlessness perpetrated by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
“We will persist in raising awareness among the Christian and international community about their situation, urging all organizations to take a stand against the atrocities committed by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and to end this lawlessness,” Patriarch Porfirije concludes.