Metropolitan Volodymyr Cancels Session of Synod Convened by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa

On February 17, RISU learned from several sources in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) that its head, Metropolitan Volodymyr, forwarded a letter to the members of the Holy Synod of the UOC-MP. By that letter, he canceled the session which was convened by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and was to be held on February 21. According to Metropolitan Volodymyr, it is not expedient to hold the session.

“Convening of the Holy Synod of the UOC, according to paragraph 3 of chapter 4 of the Statutes of government of the UOC is exclusively within the competence of the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” reads the letter.  

“The sessions of the Synod of December 23, 2011 and January 26, 2012, which were held during the time of my sickness under the chairmanship of the permanent member of the Holy Synod with the longest record of bishop’s ministry, were conducted according to paragraphs 16 and 17 of chapter 4 of the Statutes of government of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. As of today, thanks to God and the church’s prayers, I gradually regain my strength which inspires me to believe in the possibility of returning to the full-value fulfillment of the responsibilities of the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The session of the Holy Synod of the UOC, which is planned for February 21 of this year, is now in contradiction to the Statutes of government of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is inexpedient, which fact urged me to make the decision to cancel it,” reads the metropolitan's letter.