Orthodox in Ukraine Ready to Go to Court for Return of Churches

RISU ^ | 3/17/06

[vladimir998]

Orthodox in Ukraine Ready to Go to Court for Return of Churches 17.03.2006, [11:48] // Protest //

Kyiv—The Orthodox of Ukraine are ready “by court proceedings to work for the return of former Orthodox churches which the Greek Catholics hold at the given moment.” So said Valentyn Lukianyk, head of the All-Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood of St. Michael the Archangel, at a press conference. Pravoslavye.org.ua posted the news on 14 March 2006.

"We are ready to bring the case to court,” Lukianyk said. According to Lukianyk, Greek Catholics now occupy two Orthodox churches in Kyiv, namely, St. Nicholas Church on Askold’s Tomb and the Chapel of Nicholas the Kind on Podil Street.

“The church on Askold’s Tomb is an architectural monument. But during its restoration the Uniates [Greek Catholics] changed its appearance and placed a memorial board with an image of the Pope of Rome, which, by the way, may serve as another reason for a separate suit,” said Lukianyk.

“We have addressed the Kyiv authorities many times. The authorities should have conscience and cancel the decision about the transfer of churches for the use of the Catholics. It is a shame, as Ukrainians recognized themselves as a nation in the struggle against the Uniates. The Uniates are building their cathedral in Kyiv, so let them gather there,” Lukianyk added.

Also, Lukianyk reported that the Orthodox are going to demand the return of the building of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) and found a monastery there.

RISU asked Fr. Ihor Yatsiv, head of the Press Service of the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), for commentary on Lukianyk’s statements. Fr. Yatsiv said that this is nothing else but “an attempt to prevent the faithful of the UGCC from participation in Liturgies.” According to Fr.Yatsiv, the mentioned churches of the UGCC gather many faithful at Sunday Liturgies, and he asked “Do these people have to celebrate outside?”

Fr. Yatsiv said he is convinced that the UOC-MP does not lack churches in Kyiv.

Regarding what Lukianyk referred to as “another reason for a separate suit,” according to UGCC Fr. Ihor Onyshkevych, pastor of the church on Askold’s Tomb, there were present at the ceremony of the unveiling of the memorial board portraying the Pope of Rome state officials responsible for the preservation of historical monuments.

[OldCorps]

Perhaps you can shed some light on why popes of the middle ages were murderers and thugs. I've always wondered why. Was this before papal infallibility or after? Is a man who orders the murder of others infallible? Is the man who orders the rape and pillage of Constantinople an infallible person? I've also wondered why people would change what they believe, even the most juvenile eccelsiology such as "sacred heart?"

[FormerLib]

It is very apparent that your primary desire here is to incite Orthodox Christians to anger in the midst of our Lenten season.

This speaks volumes as to whom you really serve.

[sanormal]

My sincerest apologies for the incendary rhetoric. It is not meant to raise blood pressure.

Blessed Lent to you.