Searches in UOC churches in the Zhytomyr region ended with the seizure of disks with carols
Representatives of the UOC deny that they are involved in the production and distribution of any materials that could incite hatred on a religious basis. In a comment to journalists, the episcopal vicar of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Zhytomyr, Sergei Gritsayuk, emphasized that the seized drives contained “carols and church concerts,” a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“We never called anyone to do anything. Why this is connected specifically with our diocese is still unclear to me. We have a constitution, we have freedom of speech, we have a free confession of the faith of Christ, the Orthodox faith,” said Metropolitan Nikodim of Zhytomyr and Novograd-Volynsk.
He expressed bewilderment at these actions of law enforcement officers. “I don’t know whose orders are being carried out and why today, if we want to find ways of unity, ways of establishing relationships in our interfaith life.”
Let us remind you that SBU and police officers completed searches in eight parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the Zhytomyr region, as well as a Kyiv printing house, during which flash drives, computer equipment and printed publications were seized.
This was announced today by the head of the communications department of the main department of the National Police in the Zhytomyr region, Alla Vashchenko.
“A significant amount of electronic storage media was seized: flash drives, computers, as well as printed literature,” the official said.
According to her, the searches took place on the basis of a court decision in the case under the article “violation of the equality of citizens on the basis of race, nationality, religious or other characteristics.”
This is not the only example of political pressure on the UOC. So, as PolitNavigator reported, last week searches were also carried out at the rector of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel.
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