New York, September 17, 2024
assemblyofbishops.org
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America issued a statement yesterday expressing its concern about the scandalous law recently passed in Ukraine.
In late August, the 
Ukraine adopts bill 8371 on banning the Orthodox ChurchThe Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s Parliament, voted overwhelmingly today to adopt the infamous bill 8371 on the banning of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
“>Ukrainian Parliament passed and 
Zelensky signs bill on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchPresident Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine signed Bill 8317 on banning the Orthodox Church nationwide into law on August 24, Ukrainian Independence Day.”>President Zelensky signed into law a bill that, as many Ukrainian politicians openly acknowledge, was crafted for the purpose of banning the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church because of its historical connection to the Russian Orthodox Church.
A number of Orthodox and other religious representatives have already condemned the persecutory law.
In its statement, the Assembly of Canonical Bishops expresses hope that the law won’t become a tool of religious persecution:
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has followed with grave concern and profound sorrow the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation as well as the ecclesiastical challenges in the country. While recognizing the legitimate right of governments to prevent all security threats during a time of war, the Assembly is deeply concerned with the adoption by the Ukrainian parliament of Bill 8371 (Law 3894).
Ukraine is a religiously pluralistic society. In the interest of religious freedom and the rule of law, we pray the Ukrainian Law 3894 is not used to persecute any religious group within Ukraine, which would threaten the religious liberty of millions of its citizens.
The Assembly of Bishops prays for a peaceful resolution to this invasion that upholds the civil and human rights of all Ukrainians. The Assembly further prays and urgently calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the return of all captives.
A number of Orthodox primates and Synods have raised their voices in defense of the persecuted UOC, including 
Serbian Church stands with the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchHis Holiness Patriarch Porfirije and the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church sent a fraternal letter of support to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine as the Ukrainian state continues to ramp up its persecution of the Orthodox Church.
“>His Holiness Patriarch Porifirije of Serbia, 
Patriarch of Antioch stands with persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchIn the letter, Pat. John again calls for a pan-Orthodox council to be convened to deal with the ongoing Ukrainian ecclesiastical issue.”>His Beatitude Patriarch John of Antioch, the 
Albanian Church calls for “abolition of absurd law” on the banning of Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchThe Albanian Orthodox Church has joined the chorus of voices standing up for the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church under His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine that is facing brutal persecution from its own state.”>Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church, 
Bulgarian Patriarch informs U.S. ambassador about persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchHis Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria had a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria yesterday, informing him about the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”>His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, the 
Jerusalem Patriarchate condemns law on banning the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchAccording to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, such a move is an unjustified weaponization of religion.”>Jerusalem Patriarchate, the 
Russian Synod responds to ban on UOC: Ukraine has surpassed even the Soviet UnionOn Wednesday, August 20, Ukrainian Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of Bill 8371, which is aimed at the banning of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church across the country.”>Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the 
Czech-Slovak Church stands with persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchThis decision fills to the brim the cup of bitterness that the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been drinking for several decades—a cup of persecution and oppression, hatred and defamation, aggression and attacks, even associated with bloodshed.”>Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, and the 
Macedonian Synod expresses support for persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchThe Holy Synod expresses prayerful support for Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the brother bishops, and its faithful people, praying that the all-merciful Lord will give them strength to persevere and overcome these trials.”>Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric.
OCA’s Metropolitan Tikhon visits persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Romania, and Constantinople (+VIDEOS)His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada, primate of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in America, has been leading a delegation visiting Sister Orthodox Churches this month.
“>In June, before the passing of the bill, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada, a member of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops, visited His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church as a sign of fraternal fellowship and support amidst the war and persecution.
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