On May 24, the Synod of the OCU heard information about numerous systematic manifestations of informational, legal and forceful pressure from supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine on communities, clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, their seizure of Churches of OCU communities or the creation of obstacles to the use of churches and other property by OCU communities.
On this occasion, the Synod adopted a special statement "On the systemic interference of supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine in the activities of religious communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine)", which, in particular, states:
"The Holy Synod expresses outrage at the widespread practice of supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine of seizing churches of OCU communities, obstructing the use of the property by OCU communities and performing divine services, information, legal and power pressure of supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine on OCU communities and their individual members, spreading lies about conflicts in which supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate involved OCU communities.
The Synod calls on supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine to stop this practice, stop inciting religious hatred, show a constructive attitude to the free expression of the will of believers and respect it.
The Holy Synod once again called on the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine not to rely 'on princes, on the sons of men' (Psalm 145:3), on pro-Russian politicians and their influences, but to recognize the truth, follow the Tomos on autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and start a constructive dialogue with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine."