The Russian aggressor persecutes priests of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the temporarily occupied territories. Three chaplains have already died.
The head of the OCU, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius stated this, Ukrinform reports.
"Now we are receiving news from the occupied territories that persecutions of OCU priests are being made. We have heard that the priest was persecuted, taken away. The Russians are trying to persuade our priests to side with them. That is, our priests are now in danger," said Metropolitan Epiphanius.
He stressed that despite the danger, the pastors of the OCU are zealous in performing their duties, serving, helping, and volunteering.
The head of the OCU expressed his resentment at the actions of the ROC head, Kirill Gundyaev.
"We believe that it's not based on common sense at all. How can a person who calls himself a pastor and a church leader bless the assassination, this terrible war in which servicemen and children, innocent residents who suffer from hostilities die? How can the ROC leader bless the army for quick invasion and victory?" said Metropolitan Epiphanius.
The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine appealed to the clergy and faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate to unite around the recognized autocephalous local Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
"We are ready to receive everyone with love. We are ready to continue to build the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which serves and will continue to serve the interests of the Ukrainian people," Epiphanius said.
He also explained whether killing the invaders who came to Ukrainian soil was a sin.
"As a nation, we do not seek the death of those who are our neighbours. But as they came to our home, we are protecting our family, our homeland, our God-given Ukrainian land. And we know from the Scripture that the Lord himself said that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Our soldiers gloriously protect their friends, all Ukrainians. That is, it is not a sin to kill the enemy. Whoever came to us with evil, with a sword, they will die from this sword, respectively," the metropolitan remarked.
In the morning of 14 March, in occupied Berdyansk, the invaders searched the apartment, arrested and took away the priest of OCU Oleh Nikolaev in an unknown direction. He was soon released.
On 13 March, in Volnovakha, the Russian military assassinated the chaplain of the OCU, igumen Platon (Morhunov), who had served for a long time in St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.