The Orthodox Church of Ukraine appealed to the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) over the pressure on the Ukrainian church in the territories of Crimea and Donbas.
The Holy Synod in its statement noted that for over five years, occupying Russian authorities never ceased persecuting the Crimean diocese headed by Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea, Klyment.
Among most recent incidents is an attempt to seize the building hosting the St Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral in Simferopol, pressure on church community in Yevpatoria, as well as the detention of Archbishop Klyment.
Also, the statement says, “the situation is significantly worsening” with respect for the right to freedom of conscience and religion in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine”, as the unian.info says.