RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


U.S.A. demonstrates support for Ukrainian church

P.Ts.U. HEAD AND AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE DISCUSS ISSUES OF FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE IN UKRAINE

Religiia v Ukraine, 6 May 2021

 

Metropolitan of Kiev and all-Ukraine Epifany, the head of the PTsU [Orthodox Church of Ukraine], on 6 May 2021 met with the secretary of state of the United States of America, Antony Blinken. The meeting was held on the territory of the Saint Michael's Golden-Domed monastery, Religiia v Ukraine reports, citing Pomisna.

 

At the start of the meeting, the primate of the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the American secretary of state participated in a ceremony of commemoration of fallen Ukrainian troops, laying flowers at the Memory Wall. Then the chief of American diplomacy visited the Saint Michael's cathedral church.

 

During the short (given the brief and full schedule of Blinken's visit) but substantive meeting, special attention was given to the formation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the importance of removing artificial impediments to the determination of parishes' affiliation freely, based on principles of freedom of conscience.

 

Metropolitan Epifany expressed thanks to the American side for the firm support of Ukraine in the context of resisting foreign challenges that Ukraine continues to face and also of matters of the defense of freedom of conscience in territories occupied by Russia, Crimea and the Donbass.

 

The vladyka noted the importance for the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine of the outstanding American efforts in issues of the consolidation of international support for Ukraine and the intensification of the pressure of sanctions and deterrence of the Russian Federation.

 

Metropolitan Epifany wished Antony Blinken a productive visit and success in his work in the office of secretary of state of the U.S.A.

 

We recall that on 19 April, an appeal was published from the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine with regard to the escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine in which the Russian government was accused of another attack on Ukraine. The appeal also says: "We are grateful to all our allies and countries of the free world who are unanimously testifying to support for Ukraine in these difficult circumstances and are calling the government of Russia to cease the escalation of aggression." (tr. by PDS, posted 6 May 2021)


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