Moscow (AsiaNews) - In response to the continuing hostilities in the east of Ukraine, the Donetsk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate has announced a week of fasting for peace. The Metropolitan of Donetsk and Mariupol, Hilarion, has urged the faithful to "intensify our prayers and observe a fast from June 2 to 7 for an end to armed conflict". It was announced by the diocesan communications office through the website Portalcredo.ru.
Recently, the Metropolitan had condemned the bloodshed taking place in the eastern regions, the scene of the clashes between pro-Russian separatists and the Kiev army. ''The Church has no right to support any party in this fratricidal war and there can be no blessings for those who violate the commandment not to kill,'' he said in a message to the community. "Those who violate the commandments of God - he added - with armed confrontation, anger, ruthlessness and propaganda are condemning themselves to the judgment of God."
The diocese of Donetsk is collecting aid, especially
medicines for the population of the region and at the beginning of June distributed
insulin for diabetics donated by a diocese in Toronto.
Ahead of the June 7th inauguration of the new president of Petro Poroshenko,
the Ukrainian authorities have partially closed the eastern borders with Russia
to prevent the arrival of weapons and militants in the separatist regions of
Donetsk and Lugansk. Moscow has responded with indignation: "Instead of
opening these boundaries for all those who wish to leave the area of armed
conflict, they are being closed. This is absolutely offensive and
unacceptable," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander
Lukashevich.
According to the prime minister in Moscow, Dmitri Medvedev, the humanitarian situation created by the mass exodus of refugees from the former Soviet republic over the border with Russia is "unprecedented". Governor of the bordering Rostov region of Russia, Vasily Golubev, has declared a state of emergency for the influx of tens of thousands of refugees, whose existence Kiev continues to deny. "They refuse to see any humanitarian problem. Indeed they say that there are no refugees. This is a lie", denounced Medvedev, referring to the Ukrainian government. (N.A.)