The Church of Albania has once again expressed its solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Onufriy, following the passing of Bill 8371 by the Ukrainian Parliament. The Church of Albania strongly condemns what it sees as the “persecution of the canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”
In a statement, the Church of Albania voiced its deep concern over the unjust nature of the recent legislation and offered prayers for the repeal of the law and the restoration of peace and unity within Orthodoxy. The Church stands in solidarity with its “persecuted brothers” in Ukraine.
Full Statement of the Church of Albania on the Persecution of the Canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine under Law 8371:
“Persecution, imprisonment, desecration of sacred sites, and the confiscation of church properties are brutal acts, especially when carried out by democratic nations. The passage of Law 8371 by the Ukrainian Parliament on August 24, 2024, aims to dismantle the canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine, affecting millions of believers, clergy, and monastics guided by Metropolitan Onufriy.”
“As the Apostle Paul teaches, ‘And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it’ (1 Cor. 12:26). We join in the suffering of our persecuted brothers and pray for an end to the bloodshed, the repeal of the unjust law, and the restoration of peace and unity within Orthodoxy.”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas