The bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada are worried following the events in Ukraine and expresse support for Ukrainian, who stand on the Independence Square for European integration of Ukraine. They issued the statement on Dec. 2.
"The Episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada continues to follow the
events in our spiritual homeland, Ukraine, with great concern. We joined our brothers and sisters on native soil in the hope that, with God’s Providence, Ukraine will take a decisive step towards European values and standards, and will wrench itself from the grasp of its enemy which has oppressed our Ukrainian people and our Church for centuries", reads the statement.
They state that Ukrainian authorities fear their people. "They fear the peaceful demonstrations of dissatisfaction with the presidential non-signing of the agreement with the European Union. This is the latest of a whole series of dissatisfactions. The beatings by the Berkut of innocent demonstrators, the majority being youth and students, makes evident the fact that the authorities do not take into account the true will of the Ukrainian people. The people have had enough!", stress bishops
They called upon Ukrainians in Canada to pray for the demonstrators who have experienced
contempt and beatings, and for positive changes in the course of development of the Ukrainian state.