Ukrainian officers on Friday ordered a traditionally Russian-aligned wing of the Orthodox Church to go away a monastery complicated in Kyiv the place it’s based mostly, the most recent transfer in opposition to a denomination regarded with deep suspicion by the federal government.
Kyiv is cracking down on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) – which accepted the authority of the patriarch of Moscow till after Russia launched its full-scale invasion final 12 months – on grounds that it’s pro-Russian and collaborating with Moscow. The Moscow patriarch, Kirill, has strongly backed the invasion.
The UOC says it has severed its ties with Russia and the Moscow patriarchate, and is the sufferer of a political witch hunt.
The Ukrainian tradition ministry mentioned the UOC had been ordered to go away the 980-year-old Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complicated, the place it has its headquarters.
In a press release, it mentioned a probe had revealed the UOC “violated the terms of the agreement regarding the use of state property”, however didn’t give any particulars.
The UOC, which has till March 29 to go away, mentioned in a Facebook put up that the outcomes of the probe have been “obviously biased and grossly violate legal norms”.
Since October, the Security Service of Ukraine has recurrently carried out searches at UOC church buildings, imposed sanctions on its bishops and monetary backers, and opened legal circumstances in opposition to dozens of its clergymen.
Authorities mentioned that they had discovered pro-Russian literature on church premises, and Russian residents being harboured there, allegations the UOC denied.
Most Ukrainian Orthodox believers belong to a separate department of the religion, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, shaped 4 years in the past by uniting branches impartial of Moscow’s authority.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
