Religious Leaders accused the ruling regime of staging a coup by using brutal force to disperse the peaceful demonstration at Maidan Square.
Religious Leaders accused the ruling regime of staging a coup by using brutal force to disperse the peaceful demonstration at Maidan Square.
The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate appealed to his compatriots. " As a Church we morally condemn the brutal force against civilians, which was used today at the capital's Independence Square, -he said. - We also encourage everyone - especially the police, and also the participants of public actions to prevent further violence."
The head of the UGCC, Patriarch Sviatoslav ( Shevchuk) expressed his sadness over the events that took place last night at the Independence Square in Kiev. "We condemn the violence used by the law enforcement officers to civilian," - he said. The hierarch warned not to use the force in response. "We ask you not to allow even greater escalation of violence which could lead to even more tragic consequences. We must not respond with violence to violence, "- said the Patriarch Sviatoslav ( Shevchuk).
Due to recent political events in the country the press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) issued a statement of the Head of the UOC (MP), Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan). The main message of this document is to prevent a divide of the Ukrainian society and to pray for peace, love, to overcome the discord and hatred, to prevent violence and to resolve misunderstandings.