Secretary of the Rivne Diocese Calls on Believers to Save Their Priests
Archpriest Viktor Zemlyanoy noted that in matters of mobilization, the norms of the Constitution are being violated on religious grounds.
The secretary of the Rivne Diocese of the UOC, Archpriest Viktor Zemlyanoy, in an interview with journalist Tatiana Tsaruk, called on parishioners to protect the clergy from mobilization due to systemic discrimination on the part of the state.
The priest noted that the law requires equality of all before the law, yet in practice the norms of the Constitution are being violated on religious grounds. "A priest is granted a deferment because he belongs to a religious organization recognized as critical infrastructure," Father Viktor emphasized. "Religious organizations belonging to the UOC are not included among such organizations."
According to the cleric, this threatens the very existence of communities, depriving them of the ability to conduct divine services and sacraments.
In the conditions of a legal vacuum, the diocesan secretary proposed that believers use any lawful means to protect their pastors.
"The primary task of the flock is to save the priests," the archpriest declared. "If you have the opportunity to secure a deferment for a priest — do so, pool your money, hire him, open a business, some kind of company, or something else, in order to save the priest."
The cleric emphasized that saving a clergyman is directly linked to the spiritual survival of every layperson. "First and foremost, save the priest — and then you will save your soul. Because a priest is a spiritual guide who knows a little more than others," Father Viktor concluded, calling on the flock to protect the clergy as the foundation of the Church.
As the UOJ reported, Congresswoman Luna declared the mobilization of UOC priests to be unlawful.
