News

Patriarch Kirill hopes for end to discrimination against Orthodox Christians in Ukraine under new president

Strasbourg, May 27, Interfax - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia hopes that the discrimination against Orthodox Christians will stop in Ukraine after the election of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

"The rights of very many Orthodox Christians were rudely violated in Ukraine," the patriarch told reporters at Strasbourg Airport at the end of his visit to France.

"These violations caused real suffering, simply for the fact that they wanted to remain Orthodox and wanted to remain members of the Russian Orthodox Church," he said.

"Recent changes that have taken place in Ukraine in connection with the election of the new president certainly give some hope," the patriarch said.

"I know the opinions of many Orthodox Ukrainians; they link this choice [of the new president] to positive changes, such as discrimination for belonging to an Orthodox jurisdiction stopping and all people having equal rights. I share these hopes of Ukrainians in connection with Mr. Zelensky's election," Patriarch Kirill said.

"I very much hope that this Neanderthal policy where decent citizens are discriminated for belonging to a certain religious organization is absolutely unacceptable not only in Europe but also in most countries, will be forever abandoned in the life of Ukrainians," he said.

"I believe that my interlocutors here in Strasbourg share these hopes," the patriarch said.

As previously reported, Patriarch Kirill had meetings with Council of Europe Secretary General Torbjorn Jagland and Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic.

Print this page

Home

News

.	Customize latest news

• Al-Assad asks for Russian language teachers in Syria to counter Western culture and Wahhabism - Russian MP 20 August 2019, 15:28
• Ukraine has made a great contribution to combating antisemitism - Netanyahu 19 August 2019, 18:19
• Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church ceases to exist 14 August 2019, 20:12
• Over 60% of Russians identify as Orthodox, 1 out of every 6 is atheist - poll 14 August 2019, 13:51
• Russian Orthodox Church offers "Russian exarchate" to join it preserving its statute and traditions 12 August 2019, 15:33
• Gay couple with adopted children can't return to Russia yet - rights activists 12 August 2019, 14:53
• Zelensky discusses Crimea, Donbass with Patriarch Bartholomew 09 August 2019, 11:58
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church sees good signal in Zelensky's remarks at meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew 08 August 2019, 20:25
• Zelensky promises Patriarch Bartholomew: state won't interfere in church affairs 08 August 2019, 16:51
• Russian Jewish community leader calls news of Vilnius Synagogue closure frightening 08 August 2019, 14:31
• Vilnius synagogue closes due to local Jews' safety fears 07 August 2019, 20:39
• The battles of Stalingrad, Moscow to be depicted at facades of the main church of Russian military forces 07 August 2019, 17:25
• The Russian Orthodox Church criticizes the project of 'futuristic' church in Moscow 07 August 2019, 17:23
• Patriarch Kirill sends condolences to Trump over deadly shootings in Texas, Ohio 06 August 2019, 13:18
• U.S. consul general denies Washington's involvement in Yekaterinburg protests 05 August 2019, 18:47
• Zelensky planning to meet with Erdogan, Patriarch Bartholomew during Turkey visit 05 August 2019, 11:48
• Vatican embassy describes reports on pontiff's visit to Russia on May 9, 2020, as rumors 01 August 2019, 16:21
• Patriarch Kirill sees the threat of restricting human freedom in digital technologies 01 August 2019, 15:52
• Baikal shamans bring sheep and vodka to their gods to help extinguishing fire 01 August 2019, 15:50
• 300,000 Ukrainian Orthodox Church believers participate in the procession with cross on the Day of Russia’s Baptism 29 July 2019, 10:59
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church hopes Zelensky's anti-raiding decree will affect religious sphere 24 July 2019, 17:22
• Pope Francis of Rome congratulates Russian opera singer Svetlana Kasyan on her birthday 24 July 2019, 16:29
• Court of Appeal recognized illegal the Ukrainian state’s attempt to rename the Ukrainian Orthodox Church 24 July 2019, 13:56
• Religion section editor of Dagestani newspaper charged with financing terrorism 24 July 2019, 13:22
• The Russian Church warns that Trump's taxes on Chinese goods may lead to crisis of Christian mission in the USA 22 July 2019, 16:35
• Sagrada Familia and Notre Dame listed among five most frequently photoed sights 22 July 2019, 13:56
• "Contemporary" church to be built in the Setun valley in Moscow 22 July 2019, 11:38
• Georgian campaigners for gay propaganda ban hand out treats for signatures 22 July 2019, 11:34
• Icons presented to Putin and Lukashenko at Konevets monastery near St. Petersburg 18 July 2019, 11:58
• Russian Church hopes authorities will not impede Christianization Day procession in Ukraine 18 July 2019, 11:13

Other news