Her predecessor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church He urged priests and worshipers today not to perform Easter night services in war-torn areas of the country, fearing that Russian bombing would continue during the Orthodox Easter period.
The Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine Epiphanius said in a televised address that he doubted a truce would be observed during the Easter celebrations and a cessation of bombings by Russian troops, proposed by the Ukrainian Ecclesiastical Union and religious communities.
“It is difficult to believe that this will really happen, because the enemy is trying to destroy us completely,” he said.
Ukrainian ecclesiastical leaders have been at odds with Russia since Ukraine formed a new Orthodox Church in 2018, ending centuries of religious ties with Moscow. Both Ukrainians and Russians are predominantly Orthodox Christians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed its “gratitude” today for a special initiative by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for a four-day “humanitarian truce” during Easter, which could begin on Thursday.
The ceasefire is necessary for the safe evacuation of thousands of civilians from the areas of ongoing and possible hostilities, “especially from the long-suffering” city of Mariupol, he said.
Dozens of churches and other religious and cultural sites in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed by the Russian invasion of the country on 24 February.
Epiphanius stressed that Holy Week and Easter services could be held in the morning or in the afternoon, and that priests should try to avoid crowds in the churches. Believers can also watch Holy Week and Easter services on television or online, he added.
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