A significant international conference dedicated to the protection of Orthodox Christianity took place in Sofia, Bulgaria on August 26, 2024, gathering representatives from various Orthodox Churches and civil organizations to address the escalating challenges faced by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The conference, titled "Blockade of Aggression Against the Church – Defending Orthodoxy," brought together delegates from the Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian, and Jerusalem Orthodox Churches, along with independent experts from the International Forum of Orthodox Women and the Serbian Center for Geostrategic Studies.

The conference participants expressed grave concerns over what they described as systematic violations of religious freedoms in Ukraine, particularly the repression and persecution faced by the UOC under Ukrainian law. A central point of contention was the recently enacted law banning the UOC, which the attendees condemned as an infringement on constitutional rights and religious freedom. They called for the immediate repeal of this law, which they argue unjustly interferes with the internal affairs of the Church.

In a resolution passed at the conference, several key demands were outlined:

• Repeal of the UOC Ban: The delegates emphasized that the law violates fundamental rights to freedom of religion and sets a dangerous precedent for state interference in religious matters.
• End to Church Seizures: The conference denounced the violent takeovers of UOC churches by supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), nationalists, and local authorities, calling for an immediate cessation of such actions.
• Release of Detained Clergy: The participants condemned the practice of arresting UOC clergy, allegedly for exchange purposes, and demanded their unconditional release.
• Condemnation of Media Campaigns: The conference protested against what it described as a smear campaign against the UOC in Ukrainian media, urging an end to such discrediting efforts.
• Protection of Religious Sites: The attendees called for an end to the shelling of Orthodox churches and the destruction of religious artifacts, particularly those connected to the Russian Orthodox Church.

The conference also criticized the Ukrainian government's political and administrative support for the OCU, viewing it as a deliberate effort to undermine the canonical UOC. The participants urged the international community to pay attention to these issues and actively support the protection of religious rights and the stability of the Orthodox community in Ukraine.

The conclusions of the conference were formally submitted to the Ukrainian Embassy in Bulgaria, with the hope that these concerns would lead to prompt and effective action to restore the rights of UOC believers.