Moscow, March 2, 2015
"I am very hopeful that (the authorities) will put an end to the impunity of wrongdoers who attack churches," Vladimir Legoyda, head of the Synodal Information Department, was quoted by his spokesperson as saying on Monday.
Last Sunday "a handful of anonymous extremists" attempted to disrupt an archpriest's prayer service at an Orthodox cathedral in the town of Sumy, he said.
"Peace in Ukraine is only achievable with unconditional respect for the traditional communities of believers and allowing them to pray without fear and threats," Legoyda said.
Most Ukrainians belong to Moscow Patriarchate's Ukrainian Orthodox Church "and its protection from marginal aggression is the essential task of law enforcement authorities which by law are meant to act in the interests of the public," Legoyda said.