On September 3, 2024, the Synod of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia adopted a statement regarding the adoption of a law in Ukraine, which opens the possibility of banning the activities of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The announcement states:

- On the eve of the 82nd anniversary of the martyrdom of St. of Bishop Gorazd (Pavlik), we are deeply saddened by the news that on August 20, 2024, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a bill, the main purpose of which is to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This decision fills to the brim the cup of bitterness, which the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been drinking for several decades - a cup of persecution and oppression, hatred and slander, aggression and attacks, accompanied by even spilled blood.

The imprisonment of bishops, the occupation of churches and monasteries, as well as other repressive measures against the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are too painfully reminiscent of the ways in which different totalitarian regimes treated the Christian Church. Everything is complicated by the fact that such a law was adopted by the legislative body of a democratic state, which is a priori expected to be the main guarantor of respect for basic human rights and freedoms.

In its history, the Orthodox Church has repeatedly experienced moments that can be described in the words of the Psalter: "It is in vain that princes persecute me; my heart fears only Your words" (Ps. 118:161). We are convinced that even now God will not leave His faithful people without help, and that the words of Scripture will be fulfilled once again: "I called upon the Lord in my distress, and he heard me widely, and delivered me" (Ps. 118:5).

We express our support to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphrius of Kiev and All Ukraine, as well as to the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The apostle Paul says: "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Cor. 12:26). We do not forget these words and pray for God's help and salvation for all the persecuted and suffering. We ask the clergy and believers of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia to continue their prayers for peace in Ukraine and the world. We believe that these prayers will be joined by everyone who understands that respect for basic human rights and freedoms is important not only for the life of a country, but also for the entire world in which we live.

Source: Mospat