Local authorities bar believers from getting to cross procession in Ukraine.

July 22, 2018. In Rovno region, local authorities press on transport companies so that they do not provide vehicles to transport believers to the Сross procession in Kiev.

The drivers told clergymen that the representatives of the district authorities have “talks” with them advising not to take the believers to Kiev. This was reported to the UOJ correspondent by Protopriest Victor Zemlianoy, responsible for the settlement of inter-confessional conflicts in Rovno eparchy.

Representatives of the authorities convince the drivers that the procession of the UOC is a “provocation”.

The police, in turn, do not refuse to accompany the column.

Despite the obstacles put by the authorities, believers intend to get to Kiev by buses of transport companies from other regions.

As reported by the UOJ, in Ovruch district of Zhitomir region, the believers of the UOC are also prevented from joining the procession in the capital, banning the route to Kiev on July 27.

Also, many sources receive information that the authorities used the administrative resource to provide the “crowd” to the actions of the Kyiv Patriarchate to be held on July 28.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on believers to take part in the procession on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus. Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary explained it is very important to offer a joint prayer.

Sources:

http://spzh.news/en/news/54925-rovenskije-vlasti-meshajut-verujushhim-dobiratysya-na-krestnyj-khod–klirik-upc