9 Dec 2018 the representatives of Ukrainian authorities did not allow the Ruling Bishop of the Donetsk-Mariupol eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolitan of Donetsk and Mariupol Hilarion cross the line of demarcation in the official checkpoint — PPC “Novotroitsk”. The Bishop went to the monastery to worship. Reported Information-enlightenment Department of the UOC with reference to the press service of the Donetsk diocese.
The published statement of the press service completely:
“Metropolitan Hilarion went from Donetsk in the Svyato-Uspensky Nikolo-Vasilyevsky monastery in Nikolskoye village, Volnovakha district of Donetsk region for making the traditional (for the past 20 years) joint prayers with the bishops of the UOC, by the monks of the monastery and numerous pilgrims on the feast of the Mother of God icon “the Sign” 10 Dec. A visit to the local almshouses, meeting with the monks of the monastery, and many Orthodox believers from different regions of Ukraine, traditionally arriving on 10 December to participate in the above celebrations was arrogant and provocative ripped off.
Without specifying an objective reason, the right of Metropolitan Hilarion to the intersection of the demarcation line (the so-called electronic pass in the relevant database SBU) was cancelled. The only “cause” of the occurrence of such situation, according to the employee of security Service of Ukraine on PPC “Novotroitsk”, turned out to be extremely simple and baseless mocking: “…a special order from Kiev…”.
The absurdity of the details of the situation is surprising: badge, Metropolitan Hilarion, according to the same SBU, was cancelled on 7 December, but on December 8, Metropolitan Hilarion, was returning from Kiev-Pechersk Lavra after the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Donetsk, and problems passing the line of demarcation arose. Even more lack of understanding is caused by the fact that the citizen is denied the inalienable right of entry to their Homeland. Such actions demonstrate the unwillingness of certain forces in peace, because in the conditions of confrontation the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the only link that has credibility on both sides of the demarcation line.
The above actions of the security Service of Ukraine can be considered provocative, especially in the context of the recent appeal of the President of Ukraine P. A. Poroshenko to the Primate of the UOC Metropolitan Onufry with the request to facilitate the return of Ukrainian sailors.
The question arises — what it is: a provocation directed against the peacekeeping initiatives of the President of Ukraine or the conscious hypocrisy of the highest leadership of the country?
This situation blatantly shows that the Ukrainian authorities continue in their chosen line of blatant interference in the Affairs of the Church and outright persecution and discrimination against the hierarchs and clergy of the UOC on religious grounds, in clear violation of the constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens (in the case of Metropolitan Hilarion — the right to freedom of movement outlined in article 33 of the basic Law of Ukraine — Constitution) and a number of articles of the “Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms”, ratified by Ukraine in 1997.
In spite of any obstacles, including the so-called “line of demarcation” artificially arranged by the authorities of the obstacles in the form of restriction of the rights and freedoms of the Ruling Bishop and the clergy of the Donetsk diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was and still remain unified geographically, as well as unifying the hierarchy and all the faithful in adenocarcinoma the prayer to the merciful Creator and glorified saints of God, who shone forth in the land of Donbass.
Recall that this is not the first time this year the case of pressure and restriction of the rights and freedoms of the archpastors and clergymen of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church with representatives of authorities of different levels.
I would like to Express the hope that this is a gross violation of human rights and freedoms will not remain without public attention and in the future the Church will be able to exercise their Ministry, as guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.”