On June 7, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine discussed a number of topical issues with the delegation of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) at his residence. In particular, it was about consolidating efforts to ensure freedom of religion and belief in the context of Russia’s ongoing full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine.
In addition, the parties exchanged views on the horrifying war crimes committed by Russian invaders, including the damage, destruction, and shutdown of churches, the killing of Ukrainian clergymen, as well as on the facts of genocide and ecocide, the press service of the OCU reports.
The meeting was attended by Radek Matula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Ukraine, Deputy Chairman of the Alliance, Ambassador with Special Assignments on the Holocaust, Interreligious Dialogue and Freedom of Religion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Robert Rehak, other representatives of the IRFBA, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Bohdan Movchan and Deputy Chairman The Office of External Church Relations of the OCU Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva.
“It is obvious that the aggressor seeks to destroy us as a people and a nation, to destroy the very concept of justice and international law. So we defend not only our freedom, but also the freedom of the whole of Europe. On this path, Ukrainians proved their indomitability and steadfastness, so Ukraine will certainly achieve victory. Thank you for your support, which gives us the impetus to continue the fair fight for our right to exist,” Metropolitan Epifaniy said during the meeting.
