His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr Addressed President of European Court of Human Rights

Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Honorable Mr. Jean Paul Costa
President of the European Court of Human Rights

Honorable Mr. President!

The multimillion flock of faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was unhappily surprised and much disturbed by the decision of the European Court of Human Rights that banned the placement of the icons, crosses and crucifixions of Our Lord Jesus Christ in public places of Italy, in particular, in schools. Though the decision given allegedly concerns internal affairs of an individual country, it deeply relates to the issue of freedom of confession and cultural identity of other countries – members of the Council of Europe.

History and culture of the majority of European countries took shape under the influence of Christianity, so, there is no t doubt that Europe may be called a Christian part of the world. At the same time Christianity, as the events of the last decades testified, treats in respect the feelings of both believers and other people considering themselves atheists.

Presence of the Christian symbols in public places in no way aims at humiliating someone’s religious feelings, demonstrating superiority or expel anyone from the society, but is a clear and open expression of the traditional faith confession and reminding of the high ethical values of the Gospel. For the love of neighbor and treating him the same way you want to be treated yourself – these are the basic commandments of Christ, for which He took death for all people. Therefore, in Christianity the crucifixion proclaims salvation and freedom of people. It does not impose certain religion, but manifests the highest altruism and generosity, and the highest solidarity offered to everyone.

Thus, the Christian identity of the aboriginal peoples of Europe, whose visual expression are the Christian symbols, can be preserved and transferred to the future generations in the tideway of the ancestors’ faith and tradition. Therefore placement of the religious symbols in public places, especially at schools, among children, is so important and even necessary.

It should be also noted that in all the countries of Europe the right pf religious freedom exists and becomes more entrenched. Besides, in many countries of the world the religious symbols are allowed by law or are generally accepted. Freedom of religion or faith confession is available and open for everyone, though the right of faith confession for some people should not be stipulated for by divestment of this right from the others, separating them from the cultural roots of their own nation, its traditions and customs.

In the end I’d like to express hope that the European Court for Human Rights will treat with understanding the issue of placement of the Christian symbols in public places of Italy. During two thousand years of existence of Christianity in this country, as well a in the other countries of Europe it became unalienable part of the social, cultural and private life. Thus, a possibility of confessing openly their own religious beliefs, using traditional symbols, among the other, is a real manifestation of the freedom of religion.

Hoping for a positive attitude to our request, respectfully,

† Volodymyr
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine
Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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