Ukraine Expels Female Students and Ukrianian Orthodox Church from the Krements St. Nicholas Cathedral and Regency Theological School as SBU Raids Pocheav Lavra Fortress
Religious freedom sure looks like oppression in democratic Ukraine.
On November 30th, 2023, the authorities expelled the UOC from the Kremenets St. Nicholas Cathedral and expelled young children from the premises of the Kremenets Regency Theological School:
SBU Raids Pocheav Lavra Fortress
The SBU released the following statement and images on Telegram announcing the raid:
“The SBU conducts searches in the Pochaiv Lavra of the UOC (MP)
The security service is conducting investigative activities on the territory of the Pochaiv Assumption Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP). The searches are being conducted within the framework of criminal proceedings regarding the involvement of the leadership of the Lavra in inciting national enmity and hatred.
According to the investigation, representatives of the Pochaiv Lavra published a publication on the monastery's website, in which they insulted the national honor and dignity of Jews, and also incited religious enmity towards representatives of all churches, except the UOC.
In addition, in this post, clerics of the UOC (MP) questioned the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state separate from Russia.
The examination initiated by the Security Service confirmed the presence in the text of the Internet publication of statements that incite international enmity and hatred.
Within the framework of criminal proceedings under Art. 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their racial, national, religious affiliation, religious beliefs, disability and on other grounds), the investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime.
All actions take place within the limits of current legislation. We emphasize that in its activities, the SBU adheres to the principle of impartiality towards the activities of any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of worldview and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine.
Complex measures are carried out by SBU employees in the Ternopil region together with the National Police under the procedural guidance of the Ternopil regional prosecutor's office.”