Metropolitan Pimen Calls to Support Petition in Defense of Christian Shrines
The UOC hierarch invited believers of various Christian denominations to unite in support of an initiative for the legislative protection of shrines and religious feelings.
Metropolitan Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh addressed Orthodox believers and representatives of other Christian denominations with a call to support an electronic petition for the protection of Christian shrines and the religious feelings of believers. This was reported by the press service of the Rivne Diocese of the UOC.
In his video address, the hierarch noted that in recent times the media has increasingly featured cases of the humiliation of Christian symbols and shrines. In this regard, with the blessing of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a corresponding petition was registered on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
«Recently we have seen how much the humiliation of Christian symbols, Christian shrines, and Christianity as a whole appears in the mass media, in television programs, and in public statements. Our believing Church, with a blessing, has submitted a petition for the protection of Christian symbols and Christian shrines», – said Metropolitan Pimen.
The hierarch called on all Christians to support the initiative by signing the petition and spreading information about it among family, friends, and acquaintances.
As the author of the address notes, the goal of the petition is to improve legislation in the area of protecting Christian shrines and the religious feelings of believers. It is emphasized that this is not about restricting freedom of speech or creativity, but about maintaining a balance between the right to self-expression and respect for what is sacred to millions of citizens of Ukraine.
The Rivne Diocese reminded that during the war, it is precisely faith and Christian values that remain for many Ukrainians a source of hope, spiritual support, and strength, and therefore society must treat the shrines and feelings of believers with respect.
The petition can be supported on the official website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
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