UOС spokesman: there are political set-ups behind scandals around the Church

The Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Protopriest Nikolai Danilevich, spoke about political and spiritual reasons for the attacks on the canonical Church in an interview with RIA Novosti Ukraine.

Father Nikolai believes this is a kind of trial, from the spiritual point of view: "If today we are engaged in all these provocations, we will do what dark forces, which, among other things, act through people who commit outrages and attacks on the Church, expect of us."

"In my opinion, what is happening now is an attempt to rock the political situation in the country with the help of the Church. After all, the religious issue is the easiest and cheapest way to raise the level of emotions in the country," explained the UOC spokesperson. "We are a large Church and the truth is with us. The task is not to let yourself be used in this political game."

"I have reason to argue that behind all this there are big political set-ups. The organizers of all these "actions" understand perfectly well: attacks by radicals on the Lavra will cause outrage not only of believers, but also people far from the Church. Everyone will say that you cannot raise your hand to the sacred. In such a situation, something like the crackdown of students on the Maidan may happen. Radicals are just a tool in this big game. We, Orthodox believers, should not play in someone else's field and give an excuse to be used," the priest emphasized.

Protopriest Nikolai Danilevich reminded that every Christian should defend his Church not in a violent way, because "silence or withdrawal is unlikely to be the right step".

"Today, the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is a matter that concerns all believers," Father Nikolai stressed. "It is the duty of every Orthodox Christian to defend their shrines."

The priest expressed hope that politicians are aware of what the incitement of hostility can lead to. "Suppressing violence is a direct function of power. Perhaps, because of the inaction of the authorities, the radicals are acting so boldly. I'm afraid religious wars could start in Ukraine, especially since they were already in our history," he concluded, noting that the Church at every service prays for peace and tranquility in the country.