The Church of Albania has restated its support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (under the Moscow Patriarchate) and Metropolitan Onufriy, condemning the “persecution” faced by the “canonical” Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
In a statement released before Christmas, the Church of Albania emphasized the importance of ending civil strife in Ukraine and reiterated its solidarity with Ukrainian Orthodox believers through prayers.
The statement denounced actions such as persecution, imprisonment, sacrilege of places of worship, and confiscation of church property, particularly criticizing Ukraine’s Law 8371 enacted on August 24, 2024, which it claims targets the “canonical” Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
The Church of Albania expressed worry for the millions of Ukrainian Orthodox faithful, clergy, and monastics under Metropolitan Onufriy, stating that their religious rights are being violated.
However, the statement did not address the challenges faced by members of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine due to the Russian invasion since February 2022. It also did not criticize the Russian invasion or the Moscow Patriarchate’s support of the war.
Instead, the Church reiterated its opposition to the autocephaly granted to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, considering it divisive. The Church had previously expressed similar criticisms towards both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Ukrainian legislation that it believes persecutes the “canonical” Church led by Metropolitan Onufriy.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas