Metropolitan Volodymyr Shares Concerns About His Church
In an interview to journalists of Radio Freedom, Ukrainian Association of Religious Freedom and newspaper Day, Metropolitan Volodymyr of UOC-MP talked about his main concerns regarding the government of UOC.
“I maintain the connection with the faithful, I serve as much as possible and wherever possible as the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. And the government is operated according to a strict structure. On this basis, our Church lives as an organization and not only a God-men institution,” stressed the metropolitan. The Ukrainian-language web page posted this story on 6 March.
In answer to the question if there is a person in UOC which can continue the work of Metropolitan Volodymyr, he said: “There are many such people, and this is the reality. One gets to know people exactly in difficult circumstances. One can see the face of those who actively support or opposes something, think about his behaviour earlier, and then, philosophy begins. It is not true only of the Church but life in general. People are always there. One just have to find on time a person who would work honestly and selflessly. There is a number of such people in the Kyivan Eparchy and other eparchies. And I must be prepared for this option. Anything can happen in life. I think about it.”
As for the government of the Church, the metropolitan’s main concern is the relations with the state: “I am concerned most of all about the relations with the state. Especially, in the area of lawmaking. It is a very alarming issue, which can provoke a clash between the two wings, the believers and unbelievers. Unbelievers are now raising the question why things are transferred to the Church and not to the nation. The other question is the question of unity of Christians, especially, Orthodox ones who are divided and at different sides. It is not a question of one or two years, it requires much work and spiritual strength which should be drawn on by every believers, especially, at the time of the Lent.”
As for the threat of a schism in UOC, the metropolitan noted: “The unity of the Church is one of the problems requiring our attention and responsibility in good conscience. Only the lord can unite the Church. One must preserve the Church because the enemy, the enemy of our salvation keeps awake. Of course, there can be disagreement between the clergy, but I believe that the Church should withstand.”
Metropolitan Volodymyr also said that he does not know the plans of Patriarch Kirill regarding the development of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He did not share that with me. We did not speak frankly. This question is not ready. Time will put everything into place.”
