Priests of UOC of Moscow Patriarchate reportedly pray for militants in Donbas, bless arms – media

Priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in occupied Donbas reportedly condemn the Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation conducted in the country's east to counter Russian aggression, according to Gazeta.ua, UNIAN informs.

Moscow Patriarchate priests are said to be praying for militants in the occupied areas and give blessings to their weapons.

"Many [other] priests disagree with this policy, but remain silent because of fear of the church's heads. If they start resisting, they will be barred from conducting services or will be sent to [work in] a remote village," the report says. In addition, Gazeta.ua reminds that one of the priests of the Zaporizhia diocese refused to perform burial rites for a deceased ATO soldier last summer.