UOC (MP) clergymen block decommunization in Donbas
An active discussion on renaming the settlements that fall under the law of decommunization is ongoing in Donbas. While in some towns and villages a compromise is easy to find at public hearings, in other cities the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate made a stand for the soviet “Dmytriis” and “Artemovs”.
This was reported by ZIK TV journalist Yuri Herun during the live broadcast.
Decommunization is proceeding in the East. In the follow-up of demolition of Lenin monuments, the opinions on renaming of settlements named in honor of communist leaders are being actively discussed. According to Ukrainian activists, prior to renaming Donbas should rethink their values in some way.
“Donbas has betrayed three times - the first time in the nineteenth century, when itstarted killing nature. The second betrayal is the betrayal of faith. No region suffered such destruction of temples, churches, synagogues under communist rule as this one. The third betrayal is the betrayal of Ukraine. So we must repent,” local civil activist Volodymyr Berezin believes.
As for renaming, in addition Artemivsk, where the City Council has decided to change its name to Bakhmut, Dzerzhinsk will be also renamed and will become Toretsk, while Krasnoarmiyskwill becomeHryshyne. However, in many villages the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate obstructs decommunisation.
“To clean up these communist names - for example, Dimitrove village or Artem village - they said they will not remove this communist, just call it Dimitrove in honor of St. Demetrius and Artem - in honor of Artemia. It is Orthodox priests who say this,” Berezin is angered.
In addition to the return of historical names, the activists are going to rename streets in honor of Ukrainian leaders who worked in the East - in particular, writer Vasyl Stus. And a route from Kostyantynivka to Slovyansk will be named after Oleksa Tykhyy, a dissident.
"The process of decommunization, although enshrined in law, still encounters obstacles created by the old-new government. Therefore, the historical justice will be restored with the recovery of pro-Ukrainin power in the East,” Yuriy Herun summarizes.
