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The Russian occupation authorities in Donbas and Crimean are making every effort to deprive the Orthodox Church of Ukraine of the opportunity to hold services, intimidating priests and believers, as well as depriving the OCU of premises.
This was discussed during the meetings of the Primate of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy, with representatives of the American authorities, held this week.
"We talked about our successes in recent years as a Church. In addition, we talked about the internal and external challenges that now exist, especially in Russia-occupied Crimea and Donbas, " the Metropolitan said in an interview with UKRINFORM.
At the same time, he specified that in Crimea they openly try to seize the premises of the Cathedral and diocesan administration. "I personally communicate with Bishop Klyment, Archbishop of Crimea. He said yesterday that new court rulings had come and he must vacate and hand over the premises by November 11. In addition, such attempts occur in Simferopol, in other cities of the occupied peninsula, where our communities perform services, " the Metropolitan said.
In the occupied territory of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, according to him, a more difficult situation has arisen. "It is not even allowed to officiate there. And our clergymen were forced to leave this territory because they were even put on the execution lists at the time, " he stressed.
Metropolitan Epifanity also spoke about the priest of the OCU who died while crossing the demarcation line: "his health failed, and he died right there, on the spot."
According to him, persecution is directed against believers. "They are facing obstacles, they are prohibited to and they are forced to worship underground or do not gather as a community on holidays," Metropolitan Epifaniy said.
In this regard, he informed that the OCU appeals to everyone "to somehow diplomatically influence the Russian Federation so that they do not violate so harshly the rights of our believers."
