The Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia supported the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

In the days of the fifth week of this year’s Great Lent, when the spiritual repentance of Orthodox Christians culminates, the unjust and inexcusable persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian state power also culminates. This persecution, which has been going on for several decades and has been seeking to replace the canonical Church with schismatic structures, has significantly intensified after the outbreak of the war conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and in recent days is taking on the character of an attempt of liquidation.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, has always declared and proven its apolitical and national character in the statements. Despite this, it has remained the target of countless attacks and attempts of discreditation. The hate campaign against representatives and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has culminated in these days with the act ordering the evacuation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastic brotherhood from their monastery.

The Apostle James once asked his contemporaries: «Does both sweet and bitter water flow from the same spring? Can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs» (James 3, 11). Regarding the steps systematically taken by the state authorities against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the question is appropriate: «Is intimidation and persecution, violation of civil rights and restriction of religious freedom permissible in a free and democratic society?»

The current Golgotha of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – the persecution of its clergy and the humiliation of the faithful – will not be forgotten by God, nor by history. Human words of support and participation on the part of the sister Orthodox Churches cannot remove all the damage, wrongs and wounds caused so far. Therefore, I turn to God with the words of the prayer from the anaphora of St. Basil the Great: «Lord, remember the civil authorities and those in the government. Grant them a secure and lasting peace; speak good things in their hearts concerning your Church and all your people, so that we, in their tranquillity, may lead a calm and peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity!»

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