A state that turns away from its Church and its Primate turns away from God, the people, and its roots, said Archpriest Serafim Gan, chancellor of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and rector of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY, commenting on the stripping of Ukrainian citizenship from the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Ukraine.

"It is terrible when the state turns away from its Church and its Primate. This means that it turns away from God, from its own people, and from its roots. It is terrible not only to say this but also to think about what this could lead to," said Fr. Serafim.

"We now intensify our prayers for the strengthening of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry, for its archpastors, clergy, monastics, and faithful people, sincerely wishing them the all-powerful help of God," concluded the cleric.