Kyiv Patriarchate suspended commemoration of the President and civil authorities of Ukraine during services

The Holy Synod of the Kyiv Patriarchate today voted to suspend commemoration of the President and civil authorities of Ukraine during services in consequence of their use of firearms against the people who they had sworn to serve and protect.

Holy Synod resolved:

1. Given that public authorities who chose to serve the government itself and Ukraine have not heeded repeated calls by the church to not use weapons against the people and not commit violence and murder, to suspend commemorating civil authorities during worship as of February 20, 2014.

2. To call on the authorities to immediately halt the use of weapons against the Ukrainian people and remind her representatives about personal responsibility before God for all innocent blood shed .

3. Given guidance by the Holy Scriptures of the need to pray for authorities and recognizing from the Constitution of Ukraine that the only source of power in Ukraine is the Ukrainian people, the determination of the Holy Synod is to offer in all services prayers as follows: "May God remember our Ukraine and the Ukrainian people".

4. To call on all the Faithful for increased prayer in Ukraine, and to call also for prayers for the repose of the souls of dead, for healing of the wounded, and for an end to fratricide .