Several Local Churches are close to recognizing the OCU – the Romanian, Georgian, Bulgarian, and Albanian Churches. And the arrival of Patriarch Bartholomew in Kyiv on Independence Day can speed up this process.
According to Religiyna Pravda, this was stated by The Primate of the OCU Metropolitan Epifaniy in an interview with Liga.net.
“This is a signal, first of all, that Ukraine is the canonical territory of the Ukrainian Church," says Epifaniy. "The Ecumenical Patriarch comes as our twin brother. He is the first among equals. He comes at the invitation of the Ukrainian state and the OCU. To the canonical territory of the Ukrainian church. That's why the Russian Orthodox church is protesting so much... It might give an impetus to recognition by other churches. Many people have almost decided. But it takes time."
He clarifies that the Romanian, Georgian, Bulgarian, and Albanian churches are close to recognition of the OCU. Yes, they hesitate. But the majority are on the side of Epifaniy: “Every church has supporters of the Russian Orthodox church. And in Ukraine, too. Some supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine even sit in the offices of the authorities. What can we say about the Church? They've been working for centuries."