Help Robert Amsterdam Save the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

January 24, 2024
Contact the Bishops, Greek Archdiocese, Petitions, Political Activism, War in Ukraine
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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church appointed international lawyer Robert Amsterdam in 2023 to represent the interests of the canonical Orthodox Church against illegal persecution by the Ukrainian Government. Since that time, Amsterdam has provided resources we highly recommend, including ways to assist in the defense of Orthodoxy in Ukraine.

The first is a Website called Save the UOC. Please visit that site and share it as widely as possible. The information below is from the site:

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church first announced the appointment of Robert Amsterdam on October 18, 2023, following a series of raids, unlawful arrests, and seizures of church property by the Ukrainian government. The efforts to form a public information campaign became urgent once the Ukrainian Parliament (Rada) passed its second reading of the controversial Draft Law 8371, which would allow the state the powers the arbitrarily ban an entire religion.

Draft Law 8371 seeks to amend the Ukrainian law “On the freedom of conscience and religious organizations” in certain respects, allowing the legislature to selectively punish religious communities and interfere with their rights to worship freely.

“Protecting freedom of religion of all Ukrainians is essential to the continued support for Ukraine in both Washington and key European capitals,” said Amsterdam. “Draft Law 8371 represents a significant step backwards, a violation of Ukraine’s international legal commitments and the nation’s own constitution.”

Amsterdam continued: “Contrary to the Ukrainian government’s propaganda, the UOC is an independent church – instead we are witnessing pure political persecution and opportunism, which has nothing to do with Ukraine’s national security.”

The coordination between intelligence services, the presidential administration, and the courts to expropriate and literally deny the existence of Ukraine’s historical home of worship of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church represents a policy and practice that the West should condemn in unequivocal terms.

The Zelensky government’s literal adaptation of the OCU as a state church lies outside the bounds of Ukraine’s constitution, European law, and modern Western practice.

It is ironic that liberals and progressives in the United States, concerned as they are about any expression of Christianity in public, are supporting a Zelensky Regime which has effectively established a state church using American financial support. Freedom of religion and separation of Church and State are only for the United States, it seems.

On the Save the UOC Website, there are two excellent White Papers. The first is a very detailed account of the current situation. Here is a link, and below an excerpt from the paper:

This white paper highlights the perilous state of religious freedom in Ukraine as well as the overall threat to rule of law for which this campaign against the UOC is emblematic. We urge readers to contact those governments providing financial support and military aid to remind Ukraine of its obligations under its own constitution, as well as international treaties to protect religious freedom.

In addition, there is a White Paper providing a Legal Analysis of Ukrainian Draft Law 8371 that could be used to completely ban the UOC. Here is a link, and below is an excerpt from the paper:

The UOC has long faced spurious accusations that it acts as an agent of the Russian state, a legacy of its complex history of subordination to the Russian Orthodox Church. Building on the rights to self-governance and broad autonomy that it acquired in 1990, the UOC declared its independence on 27 May 2022. Despite its efforts to support Ukraine and its citizens during the war with Russia, the Ukrainian Government has decided to disestablish the Church and prohibit its activities (Draft Law 8371). This legislative assault fails to account for the steps taken by the UOC to declare independence and support Ukraine.

Please download, read, and share the White Papers as widely as possible. Save the UOC also includes a “Take Action” guide to assist you in contacting your Congressional representatives concerning freedom of religion in Ukraine. The government of Ukraine is completely dependent on US aid for its continued existence. Should a large portion of Congress demand an end to this persecution as a condition of future aid, Zelenskyy will have no choice but to comply.

The following introductory video is quite good. It is available on the Save the UOC Website and YouTube:

It is truly heartening to see Tucker Carlson interview Robert Amsterdam, and that he continues to support the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Tucker is almost alone in broadcast media in doing so. The UOC is the Church of the Martyrs, we cannot abandon them. Particularly when, as American tax payers, it is our money that is being used to oppress them.

The video makes many good points, but one of the most touching is that Amsterdam (who is Jewish) believes the Faithful of the UOC are the most devout part of the Ukrainian populace. There are truly wonderful servants of God in the UOC. Their example will continue to inspire all Christians around the world.

Tucker also asked Amsterdam why Christian leaders have remained silent about this persecution. Amsterdam noted that the Ukrainians have (with US National Security State help) erected a propaganda machine that throttles the truth of the UOC persecution. It is hard to inform people, which is why reaching out to our legislators is so important. Congress may not be hearing the truth from anyone but us.

But, there is another important reason why Christian leaders have remained silent on the UOC persecution. Worldwide, most Orthodox hierarchs support the UOC as the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine. However, Patriarch Bartholomew, globally one of the most visible Orthodox hierarchs, does not. Patriarch Bartholomew directly bears a large part of the responsibility for the tragic situation in Ukraine This has led the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Greek Archdiocese, related organizations, and their media outlets to collaborate with the US National Security State in covering up the truth.

The Patriarch and various organs of the Patriarchate consistently pretend that:

  • The UOC is a “Russian” Church
  • No persecution is occurring,
  • Whatever steps are taken against the UOC are justified for Ukrainian national security
  • It is not the UOC being persecuted by Kiev, but rather the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) is the real victim of persecution

Here are some examples of Patriarch Bartholomew spreading “disinformation” on the situation in Ukraine. On October 15, 2023, after the liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Andrew and Great Martyr Dimitri, Patriarch Bartholomew told the clergy of the Spanish and Portuguese Metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that he considers the criminal prosecution of UOC hierarchs to be fair and justified. Patriarch Bartholomew previously referred to violent seizures of UOC parishes as those parishes voluntarily changing to his demonic creation, the OCU. As shown in the post below, the Patriarch (and others) even completely reverses whom is being persecuted in Ukraine and who is responsible for it.

Many times, when seeking to publicize the suffering of the UOC, have we had quotes from the Patriarch of Constantinople thrown back in our faces. His high profile involvement gives many Western Christian media, Christian organizations, and human rights organizations the “cover” to stay silent about the Ukrainian persecution. After all, if the “spiritual leader” of Orthodoxy says everything is fine, or at least justified, who is anyone else to argue?

It is way past time for more Orthodox Christians, particularly in the West, to make it clear that the Patriarchate of Constantinople is complicit in a crime not only against humanity, but against God.

Below you will find our petition demanding an end to the silence over Ukraine. It has almost 6,000 signatures, and is being shared not only with media but also with Amsterdam and his law group. If you have not signed, please do so. Also, please forward resources from Save the UOC to as many people as you can. Please contact your representatives, and a note of concern to your bishop would be a blessing as well!

— OR Staff

We Demand an End to Christian Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Petition Text Below:

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the canonical church in Ukraine headed by Metropolitan Onuphry. Prior to the war, approximately 70% of the population of Ukraine belonged to the UOC. Ukrainians overwhelmingly supported their Church, despite having been subjected to politically motivated persecution for many years. The violations of human rights directed at Orthodox Christian in Ukraine have included: forcible seizure / closure of parishes, unlawful arrests, physical abuse, abusive searches of holy sites, desecrations of holy objects, intentional targeting of parishes and holy sites for military attack, and acts of physical intimidation. Recently, local governments have banned the Ukrainian Church from even operating in their areas. President Zelensky of Ukraine has threatened to make this ban nationwide. The main churches of Kiev Caves Lavra have been removed from UOC jurisdiction, and schismatics have been allowed to use them for services. We, the undersigned Orthodox Christians and allied Christians of good conscience, note three things. First, the situation in Ukraine is unjustified Christian persecution that violates all global norms. Second, the Ukrainian Government is wholly dependent on Western financial and military support for its continued existence. Therefore, Christians in the West bear a substantial responsibility to speak for the Ukrainian victims of persecution. Third, protests from official organizations matter more to those in power than collections of citizens. Therefore, we signers of this petition call upon the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, all Orthodox jurisdictions in the West, all official Orthodox Christian ministries and institutions of higher education, all human rights organizations, the Roman Catholic Church, all other Christian bodies of good will, and any other concerned organizations to immediately draft statements decrying the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and demanding its immediate cessation. We cannot be silent in the face of Christian persecution enabled by our own governments. Please join us in ending the persecution of the Body of Christ in Ukraine.

%%your signature%%

5,628 signatures = 70% of goal
0
8,000

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Petition verbiage below. Scroll further to see current signatures. 

Petition to End the Silence on Christian Persecution in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the canonical church in Ukraine headed by Metropolitan Onuphry. Prior to the war, approximately 70% of the population of Ukraine belonged to the UOC. Ukrainians overwhelmingly supported their Church, despite having been subjected to politically motivated persecution for many years. The violations of human rights directed at Orthodox Christians in Ukraine have included: forcible seizure / closure of parishes, unlawful arrests, physical abuse, abusive searches of holy sites, desecrations of holy objects, intentional targeting of parishes and holy sites for military attack, and acts of physical intimidation. Recently, local governments have banned the Ukrainian Church from even operating in their areas. President Zelensky of Ukraine has threatened to make this ban nationwide. The main churches of Kiev Caves Lavra have been removed from UOC jurisdiction, and schismatics have been allowed to use them for services.

We, the undersigned Orthodox Christians and allied Christians of good conscience, note three things. First, the situation in Ukraine is unjustified Christian persecution that violates all global norms. Second, the Ukrainian Government is wholly dependent on Western financial and military support for its continued existence. Therefore, Christians in the West bear a substantial responsibility to speak for the Ukrainian victims of persecution. Third, protests from official organizations matter more to those in power than collections of citizens.

Therefore, we signers of this petition call upon the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, all Orthodox jurisdictions in the West, all official Orthodox Christian ministries and institutions of higher education, all human rights organizations, the Roman Catholic Church, all other Christian bodies of good will, and any other concerned organizations to immediately draft statements decrying the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and demanding its immediate cessation. We cannot be silent in the face of Christian persecution enabled by our own governments. Please join us in ending the persecution of the Body of Christ in Ukraine.

Petition Signatures
5,628
Mr. Michael G.
United States 
Greek Orthodox
5,627
Mr. BRUNO P.
France 
5,626
Mrs. Lena T.
Ukraine 
УПЦ
5,625
Miss. Anna S.
Ukraine 
5,624
Miss. Alisa P.
Ukraine 
5,623
Mr. Анна .
Ukraine 
5,622
Mrs. Tanya A.
France 
UOC
5,621
Mr. Michael S.
Australia 
ROCOR
5,620
Mrs. Hayat M.
Lebanon 
Orthodox
5,619
Mr. Lois L.
United States 
OCA
5,618
Mr. Ruth O.
United States 
Antiochian Orthodox
5,617
Mr. Ștefan S.
Romania 
Romanian Eastern Orthodox Church, Archdiocese of Bucharest under Archbishop and Metropolitan P.F. DANIEL and Vicar Bishop P.S. TIMOTEI Prahoveanul
5,616
Mr. Akshay B.
India 
The Holy Orthodox Christian Church
5,615
Mrs. Larysa B.
United Kingdom 
ROCOR
5,614
Mrs. Maria-Lynn K.
Canada 
ROCOR
5,613
Mr. Vladimir A.
United States 
Antioch
5,612
Mr. Peter D.
United States 
OCA
5,611
Miss. Lisa M.
United States 
Oregon
5,610
Miss. Danna H.
United States 
5,609
Mr. Edward A.
United States 
ROCOR
5,608
Miss. Jennifer J.
United States 
5,607
Mrs. Athena C.
United States 
Greek Orthodox
5,606
Mr. Jacinto S.
?? 
Antiochian Archdiocese of North America
5,605
Mr. Maximos H.
United States 
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
5,604
Mr. Tracey W.
United States 
Roman Catholic
5,603
Mr. Xavier G.
United States 
Greek Orthodox
5,602
Mr. Elias(Lewis) K.
United States 
5,601
Mr. Aaron P.
?? 
Antiochian
5,600
Mr. Michael K.
?? 
Orthodox Church of America
5,599
Mr. Vlada S.
Serbia 
5,598
Mr. Joseph D.
United States 
Antiochian
5,597
Mrs. Irina Z.
United States 
5,596
Mr. Eric R.
United States 
GOARCH
5,595
Mr. Jonathan B.
United States 
ROCOR
5,594
Mr. Randall A.
United States 
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
5,593
Mr. Dan P.
Romania 
5,592
Mr. Juan V.
?? 
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
5,591
Mr. Kevin K.
United States 
ACROD
5,590
Mr. Karl H.
United States 
Orthodox Christian
5,589
Miss. Dariya F.
United States 
DMV
5,588
Mr. James S.
United States 
ROCOR
5,587
Mrs. Lidiya L.
United States 
ROCOR
5,586
Dr. Sophia L.
United States 
5,585
Miss. Regina K.
United States 
5,584
Dr. Michael L.
United States 
5,583
Mrs. Larissa L.
United States 
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St.John the Baptist
5,582
Mrs. Karina M.
United States 
5,581
Mr. Anna P.
Russian Federation 
5,580
Miss. xenia lynn teresa w.
United States 
ROCOR
5,579
Mrs. Louise D.
United States 
5,578
Mrs. Zina Y.
United States 
5,577
Mr. Alexis W.
United States 
ROCOR
5,576
Mrs. Iryna S.
United States 
ROC
5,575
Mr. Walt S.
United States 
Russian Orthodox
5,574
Mrs. Natalia G.
United States 
5,573
Mrs. Zoya D.
United States 
5,572
Mrs. Lydia M.
United States 
Eastern Diocese
5,571
Mr. Thomas D.
United States 
5,570
Mrs. Svetlana C.
United States 
5,569
Mrs. Darka R.
United States 
5,568
Mr. Marina K.
United States 
Orthodox Christian
5,567
Miss. Anne R.
United States 
OCA
5,566
Mrs. Cl B.
United States 
5,565
Mr. John T.
United States 
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
5,564
Miss. ELMIRA H.
United States 
Russian Orthodox
5,563
Mrs. Natalia R.
United States 
ROCOR
5,562
Mrs. Olga S.
?? 
Orthodox
5,561
Fr. John K.
United States 
ROCOR
5,560
Mrs. Evgenia A.
United States 
5,559
Mr. Theodore S.
United States 
OCA
5,558
Mr. Yakov Y.
United States 
5,557
Miss. Jennifer B.
United States 
Russian Orthodox Christian in Alabama
5,556
Mr. Vasily K.
United States 
5,555
Mr. Henry P.
United States 
5,554
Mrs. Svetlana M.
United States 
5,553
Mr. nicholas o.
United States 
Orthodox Christian
5,552
Mr. Michael D.
United States 
Eastern orthodox
5,551
Mr. William N.
United States 
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
5,550
Mr. Nikos G.
United Kingdom 
Greek archdiocese Thyateira
5,549
Mr. Kira S.
?? 
5,548
Mrs. Denise L.
United States 
5,547
Mr. Maria C.
Ukraine 
5,546
Mr. Christopher B.
United States 
Eastern Orthodox Christian
5,545
Mr. f d.
United States 
ROCOR
5,544
Miss. Linda L.
United States 
5,543
Mrs. SYLVIE C.
France 
5,542
Mr. Klaus K.
Switzerland 
Romanian Orthodox Church
5,541
Mr. Jerome B.
Canada 
OCA
5,540
Mr. Ryan D.
United States 
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
5,539
Ms. Olga B.
United States 
ROCOR
5,538
Ms. Elena G.
United States 
5,537
Mr. TONY A.
United States 
5,536
Ms. Menna J.
United Kingdom 
ROCOR
5,535
Mr. Arthur T.
United States 
Roman Catholic
5,534
Mr. Sergei L.
United States 
Orthodox
5,533
Mr. iLia A.
United States 
Orthodox
5,532
Mr. steven b.
United States 
goarch
5,531
Ms. Fotini B.
United States 
5,530
Ms. Eirini B.
Greece 
5,529
Mrs. Amber S.
?? 
5,528
Mr. Oleg G.
Ukraine 
UOC
5,527
Mr. John C.
Ukraine 
Ukraine
5,526
Ms. Diane S.
United States 
5,525
Mr. Jeremy K.
United States 
5,524
Mr. Bernie H.
United Kingdom 
Buddhist
5,523
Ms. Aleks T.
Ukraine 
5,522
Mr. Oleksandr T.
Ukraine 
5,521
Mr. Milton T.
United States 
5,520
Ms. Maksym P.
Italy 
Orthodox
5,519
Mrs. Olha S.
?? 
Ukraine
5,518
Ms. Kolykhan L.
Ukraine 
5,517
Mr. Ross H.
United States 
ROEA
5,516
Fr. David A L.
United States 
OCA
5,515
Mr. Antonio G.
Italy 
5,514
Mr. John Q.
Canada 
5,513
Mrs. Mary A.
Canada 
ROCOR
5,512
Miss. Dianne T.
United States 
GOA
5,511
Mr. Piran U.
United Kingdom 
5,510
Mr. Michael P.
United States 
GOAA
5,509
Mrs. Elizabeth U.
United Kingdom 
Antiochan
5,508
Dr. Eden E J.
United States 
Catholic
5,507
Mr. Lazarus U.
United Kingdom 
Antiochian
5,506
Mrs. Tessa D.
United States 
Greek Orthodox
5,505
Mrs. Karen K.
United States 
OCA
5,504
Mr. Ostoja V.
Australia 
5,503
Mr. Gilles C.
France 
Othodox
5,502
Mr. Лариса .
Ukraine 
5,501
Mr. Rebecca C.
United States 
Orthodox Church of America
5,500
Mr. Trudy S.
?? 
5,499
Mr. Василий .
Ukraine 
5,498
Mrs. DRUMARD T.
France 
ORTHODOX CHURCH
5,497
Miss. Tetyana Igorivna A.
Ukraine 
УПЦ
5,496
Mr. Igor I.
Ukraine 
УПЦ
5,495
Mrs. Татьяна .
Mexico 
ХРИСТИАНКА
5,494
Miss. Тятьяна .
Ukraine 
УПЦ
5,493
Mrs. Tatyana D.
Australia 
ORTHODOX CHURCH
5,492
Miss. Mary M.
United States 
ROCOR
5,491
Mr. Ирина .
Ukraine 
5,490
Mr. Joseph K.
United States 
OCA
5,489
Miss. Інна .
?? 
Київ
5,488
Mr. Роман .
Ukraine 
5,487
Mr. Sergej G.
Germany 
5,486
Miss. Connie D.
United States 
5,485
Mr. Dennis B.
United States 
Rocor
5,484
Mr. Steve R.
United States 
Traditionalist Roman Catholic
5,483
Mr. Michael C.
United States 
OCA
5,482
Mrs. Leeah O.
Australia 
Greek Orthodox
5,481
Christopher K.
?? 
ROCOR
5,480
Mr. Mike C.
United Kingdom 
5,479
Lillian H.
?? 
Greek Orthodox
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