Patriarch Kirill calls the verdict against Metropolitan Jonathan a persecution of faith
8/7/2023, 5:34:32 PM
Highlights: The guilty verdict in Ukraine against Metropolitan Jonathan has become an example of persecution of faith, said Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. He called the accusations "absolutely null and void" and claimed falsification of evidence. Earlier, a court in Ukraine sentenced Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletsky) of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to five years in prison "for public justification of armed aggression," according to reports in Ukraine. The UOC is part of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The guilty verdict in Ukraine against Metropolitan Jonathan has become an example of persecution of faith, the evidence is falsified, said Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
His appeal is quoted by the head of the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate for the Church's relations with society and the media, Vladimir Legoyda.
"In this court decision, dictated by hatred of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, we see another act of flagrant violation of religious freedom, an example of persecution of faith," Patriarch Kirill said.
He called the accusations "absolutely null and void" and claimed falsification of evidence.
Earlier, a court in Ukraine sentenced Metropolitan Jonathan (Yeletsky) of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to five years in prison "for public justification of armed aggression."