Ukrainians in Northern Ireland have claimed that a Belfast Christmas market stall run by nuns is linked to support for the Russian war campaign.
The community group Ukrainians in Northern Ireland have written to Belfast City Council, outlining their concerns.
They urged the council to “reconsider allowing” the Orthodox St Elisabeth Convent Minsk (SEM) to operate in the popular festive market.
In their letter, they allege that the SEM group is linked to support for the Russian war campaign, including reports that seven vehicles were purchased for soldiers in April 2023.
There was also a letter-writing campaign hosted by the convent for civilians to write to soldiers in the warring eastern regions.
When the Belfast Telegraph visited this week, sisters on the stall in question strenuously denied any pro-Russian sentiments or support for the war.
They stated they “pray for both sides” and “do not support either side”, noting that some of their nuns hail from the Kharkiv region, one of the contested regions of Ukraine where the conflict is centred.
Belfast City Council has pledged to raise the concerns with the operator of the Christmas market, Marketplace Europe.
Matryoshka dolls at the St Elisabeth Convent stall, Belfast Christmas Market
Based in Minsk, Belarus – one of Russia’s strongest allies – SEM advertises its frequent humanitarian campaigns on its site.
However, many believe there is another side to the Orthodox Christian organisation.
The nuns are known to travel Europe with charity collection buckets, though they are most famous in the West for selling Christian icons, matryoshka dolls and other festive trinkets at Christmas fairs and markets.
But it is feared that the profits made from these stalls in Europe may go on to support Russian troops.
In 2022, in Winchester, England, Ukrainians in the town voiced their grievances over the presence of the merchant nuns of SEM at a Christmas fair, which led to its closure.
Another case earlier this month – this time in the Polish city of Szczecin – saw Belarusian migrants protest against the presence of the vendors. This led to another closure.
Inside the St Elisabeth Convent stall at Belfast Christmas Market
The convent’s confessor, the pro-Russian Archpriest, Andrey Lemeshonok, is known for his steadfast support for the Russian war effort.
He has in the past referred to Russia and Ukraine as “one people and one state”, rather than two separate nations. He is also known for branding the ongoing conflict as “a liberation struggle”.
The Ukrainians in Northern Ireland community group said: “Evidence suggests that this organisation’s activities, including the sale of products at such events, are linked to financial support for entities complicit in Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
“Allowing such a stall to operate at the Belfast Christmas Market not only risks legitimising these activities but also stands in stark contrast to the values of peace and solidarity that Belfast is known for.”
The group fears that their presence under the “guise of cultural exchange” is an attempt to “spread influence… to places far removed from the active conflict”.
A spokesperson from Belfast City Council said: “The Belfast Christmas market is run by Marketplace Europe, which leases the area around City Hall.
“While council does not have responsibility for the stall businesses, the contents of the letter will be raised with Marketplace Europe.”
Marketplace Europe was approached for comment. (© The Belfast Telegraph)