Deputy Head of Presidential Administration: Attempts to throw Constantinople off autocephaly course will fail

Rostyslav Pavlenko, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, told Glavkom that Constantinople and the Local Churches are well aware of what is really happening in Ukraine. So the lies of the opponents of autocephaly will not work.

“The Ecumenical Patriarchate, other Local Churches have extensive information about what is actually happening in Ukraine. The things that the opponents of autocephaly rely on are not sure to work. Intimidation, pressure on hierarchs and priests, spreading lies -- in the media or through the dioceses and parishes -- attempts to throw Constantinople off course to autocephaly, the collection of letters - all this convinces only the initiators of these actions.

We have witnessed how the campaign to collect signatures against autocephaly failed: many priests or even bishops from the Moscow Patriarchate refused to take part therein. But the main opposition to lies is telling the truth, explaining what's really going on. What powers Constantinople has and how they are used, at what stage the process is, what the attitude of other Churches is. By the way, contrary to the forecasts and statements of opponents of the autocephaly, there is no rejection from other Churches. Rather, there is a desire to wait for the official decision of the Phanar, its implementation in Ukraine - and then to build a relationship with the new Church, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world,” Pavlenko emphasized.

Answering the journalist’s words that the opponents of autocephaly intimidate believers by a possible bloodshed caused by the future separation of the Churches, Rostislav Pavlenko replied, “They are always scaring us with this. But there is every opportunity to prevent this scenario. The Ukrainians were wise and avoided many traps set by the Russian aggressor. I am convinced this one will be also avoided - thanks to the actions of the State, and due to moderation, vigilance and tolerance of citizens.

According to Ukrainian legislation, the definition of confessional affiliation is a community-level issue. I think after the decision on the Tomos is adopted, many people will determine on their own which Church they belong to. The State will encourage this process to be peaceful and voluntary. Legislation provides an answer for this. There are several options, but all of them are based on dialogue – in particular, the alternate service. Perhaps there will be a need to make clarifications to the law, but its basis will remain the same.”