Representatives of major religions support peaceful initiatives of President Poroshenko

During the international interfaith forum held on June 22 in Kharkiv, representatives of the world's major religions, adopted a resolution that reaffirmed a common desire to help restore peace in Ukraine, reports Religion in Ukraine website referring to Ihrpex.org and Sq.com.ua.

The religious leaders attending the meetings were Archbishop Job (Getcha) (Patriarchate of Constantinople), representative of the World Conference of Religions for Peace Koichi Suhyno, Secretary General of the European Council of Religious Leaders Stein Villumstad, Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya) (Kyiv Patriarchate), Bishop Stanislaw Shyrokoradiuk (Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine), Metropolitan Oleksandr (Drabynko) (Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate), scientists and diplomats from more than 20 countries and delegates of the Religions for Peace global organization, who came to attend the event in Ukraine.

“We support the peace initiatives of the President of Ukraine, the Parliament, the Government of Ukraine and other constructive proposals to stop the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine”, goes the document.

Participants of the event called the religious leaders of the world to pray for peace in Ukraine and use their best efforts to influence politicians and society to stop the bloodshed in Ukrainian land.

“Supporting the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, we urge all countries without exception to respect them”, the resolution states.

The forum participants also called all those who took up arms in violation of the Ukrainian laws, to give them up and proceed to a peaceful political dialogue. A ceremonial laying of a capsule of the Museum of religions was held in the framework of the meeting.

Oleksandr Feldman, the forum organizer and MP of Ukraine said that it was no accident that this year the event was moved to the eastern part of the country. “It's very important for us that peace and harmony rule in Ukraine again”. We've always been and we want to remain an example of interfaith understanding and tolerance, the principles that we have observed for twenty-three years of independence”, Feldman concludes.

Due to the strained situation in Ukraine, the participants decided to hold an extraordinary forum this autumn.