UOC-MP SINOD STATEMENT
2 min read
The Sinod (governing body) of the “Ukrainian Orthodox Church” (Moscow Patriarchate) issued a statement today in which it condemned multiple initiatives proposed at both national and local levels throughout Ukraine, aimed at outlawing this “church”.
These initiatives are being put forth because multiple cases have been documented of UOC-MP “clergy” aiding and abetting the enemy.
As if to deliberately support the claims of their detractors, today’s statement of the UOC-MP leadership explicitly parrots Moscow’s narrative.
Outrageously, the Sinod singles out (my translation): “the previous administration of Petro Poroshenko and the destructive ideology of the so-called Orthodox Church of Ukraine. We are convinced that the activities of the previous administration and of the “OCU” were among the causes of the armed invasion of Ukraine”
WHAT??? Poroshenko and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine are responsible for Russia’s war???
One can understand that the Moscow-led church feels somewhat uncomfortable in current circumstances and is clearly in a bind with multiple parishes switching allegiance to the OCU.
But to blame a past President (out of office for 3 years!) and a competing church for Russian military aggression??? Stupidity or deliberate organizational suicide – not sure which in this case.
The OCU was officially recognized by the Constantinople Patriarch (Tomos of autocephaly granted in 2019) and four other sister churches, and as an independent Ukrainian church now holds the moral high ground over the nominally Ukrainian UOC-MP whose 5000 strong clergy in Ukraine recognize the Moscow Patriarch as their head.
If there was ever any doubt as to whether the Moscow Patriarchate is a church or an agent of political manipulation, after today’s Sinod statement, the mask is now off.
I sincerely hope and expect this statement to lead to an increase in the number of parishes switching from UOC-MP to OCU throughout Ukraine. The process has already gained momentum in several eparchies. This statement should serve only to accelerate the process.
Today Moscow-backed agents put forth yet another backfired policy of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The Kremlin simply doesn’t learn…
From UWIN:
Did you add your signature to the Appeal?
To add your signature, send e-mail to ukrainainternational@gmail.com with your full name as it is written in your ID, indicate your occupation and position, as well as the city, state (region) and country of residence.
