UOC Legal Department on Chernivtsi incident: Is pilgrimage a crime now?
Detention of pilgrims who were on their way to Pochaiv. Photo: screenshot of video facebook.com/orthobuk
The head of the UOC Legal Department, Archpriest Oleksandr Bakhov, commenting on the incident in Chernivtsi, said that the police actions "were illegal and violated not only the right to freedom of religion but also the right to movement," reports the UOC Telegram channel.
"Unequivocally, such actions of law enforcement agencies are illegal and violate not only the right to freedom of religion but also the right to movement. The latter, by the way, in the western regions, today even under martial law is not restricted," said the head of the UOC Legal Department, Archpriest Oleksandr Bakhov.
"The authorities of the Chernivtsi region sent the entire police force to prevent the faithful from going on pilgrimage to Pochaiv. Is a trip to pray to the shrine today considered a crime?" he added.
On March 24, 2023, in the Chernivtsi region, police stopped two buses with people who were going on a pilgrimage to the Pochaiv Lavra.
As reported earlier, the believers, who were not allowed to go to Pochaiv, said they would go on a hunger strike.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.