Synod of the UOC-MP called its priests in the occupied territories "heroes" who "risk their reputation"
This is mentioned in today's Synod statement.
"Those bishops and priests who have remained in the occupied territory of Ukraine and continue to perform their pastoral ministry are not collaborators. On the contrary, many of them are real heroes of the Ukrainian people, " the UOC-MP claims.
As the Synod of the UOC-MP notes, priests of their denomination risk their reputation in order for our people to survive in the occupied territories.
"In the difficult circumstances that developed as a result of the war, they did not leave their flock. Risking their reputation, the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are doing everything possible to ensure that our Ukrainian people survive where war destroys the chances of human life," the statement reads.
The Synod of the UOC-MP also expressed concern that the process of transition of communities from the Moscow Patriarchate to the OCU continues in the future, which the UOC-MP calls "raiding", and that the monasteries were visited by the SBU with searches. The UOC-MP is concerned that some of their representatives have faced with serious charges.
"Once again, we strongly urge not to incite an internal war but to unite everyone in order to survive and defeat the evil that stands before us. Only our joint work without internal strife can stop the bloodshed," the UOC-MP suggests.
As reported, under the procedural leadership of the Donetsk regional prosecutor's Office, an indictment has been submitted to the court regarding one 'hero " - a priest of the UOC-MP, a resident of the village of Yarova, for collaboration activities (Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
This "hero", the rector of the "Kazan Icon" parish of the UOC-MP Diocese of Horlivka, according to the investigation, in May 2022 colluded with the military of the army of the aggressor country and, on their instructions, organized a gathering of residents in the premises of a local club. Taking advantage of the respect among the villagers, the priest informed the citizens that the settlement is under the control of the Russian troops and it is necessary to elect a new head of local authorities to interact with the enemy. Under the influence of the personal opinion of the accused, by a majority vote, local residents supported the proposed candidacy of the new pseudo-head of the village of Yarova.
