The main reason why the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches cannot get united lies in the aggressive policy of Russia towards Ukraine.
The main reason why the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches cannot get united lies in the aggressive policy of Russia towards Ukraine.
Such an opinion was expressed in an interview for Orthodoxy and the World by Metropolitan Elpidophoros, a member of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
“Why has Moscow been struggling with the idea of establishing an independent Church in Ukraine from the time when the Ukrainian nation came together in an independent State? Does not it seem that such a refusal by Moscow’s Church to recognize reality is, in fact, the reason for the split in Ukraine? This is the real reason for the split in Ukraine. It is not about the behavior of some of the bishops or perhaps some people's aspirations -- it is Moscow's refusal to see and accept reality. Ukraine is independent, it should not be subordinate. And no way of subordination and dependence on another State can be applied to it,” he said.
“Ukraine is an independent State and wants to have an independent Church. Moscow prevents it by all means at its disposal – spiritual, political, economic, military -- as a result of which the nation is divided and the entire Church suffers. This is a reality. That is, and I have to change the question. Why does Moscow prevent the Church from liberating itself, and especially the Church, to which the Moscow Church ought to be grateful for everything, and should treat with greater gratitude and love and concern for unity and stability, and not to divide it by its actions?” added the hierarch.
Metropolitan Elpidophoros also disagreed with his interviewer's warning that autocephaly was allegedly not relevant now and that it could worsen the situation.
“Mr. Avgeryn [the journalist’s name], we have delayed it for 20 years ... I met the representative of the State, plus other representatives of the same State who have consistently and persistently addressed us with their request in recent decades. [Ukrainian President] Poroshenko is not the only one who submitted such a request. Remember how close we were 10 years ago with Yushchenko to reaching a solution to the Ukrainian issue ... As long as the split continues, passions will be running high. Once the split ends, this chapter of the division of the Ukrainian Church will be closed and the Church in Ukraine will be established for all Orthodox Ukrainians. But, I think, it will help to calm the spirit and reconcile people with each other,” said the member of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
As RISU has reported, Metropolitan Elpidophoros in this interview stated that the Ukrainian Church is the Mother Church for the Russian Orthodox Church, and not vice versa (as the Russians believe as they try to impose this opinion on everyone).
“In the case of the Ukrainian Church, the allegation by anyone that the Church in Moscow is the mother of the Church of Ukraine is at least paradoxical and distorted. Quite the opposite. The Moscow Church is the daughter of the Ukrainian Church which - the Ukrainian Church - is the daughter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” the Metropolitan reiterated.