Religious scholar Andrii Smyrnov commented on the prospects for the unification of Orthodox churches in Ukraine and touched upon the issue of the ban on the UOC-MP.
In a commentary to Suspilne, the religious scholar emphasized that adopting the law banning the UOC-MP will not automatically lead to the termination of its activities.
“Therefore, even if the law is adopted, we must understand that, firstly, no ban on any church will automatically take place, and secondly, this is a long legal process. Thus, even if there are final court decisions on the termination of a legal entity, religious activity will continue. Believers can go to the catacombs and engage in underground activities. After all, our legislation is so democratic that it allows religious communities to operate even without registering a charter. That is, de facto, the activity of worship will continue,” explained the religious scholar.
Smyrnov emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach: “It is necessary to adopt laws and negotiate with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the MP - ed.) so that it still unites with the OCU and fulfills the Tomos granted by the Ecumenical Patriarch.”
The expert believes that the unification of Ukrainian Orthodox Churches is a matter of national security: “The sooner the Ukrainian churches unite and a single Local Ukrainian Orthodox Church emerges, the more the national interests of Ukraine will benefit.”
According to Smyrnov, it is necessary to initiate negotiations with the pro-Ukrainian part of the UOC-MP on unification with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. All those who oppose the unification should either cease their activities, move to Russia, or satisfy their religious needs in some other way.