In the commentary for Gazeta.ua, religious scholar Liudmyla Fylypovych noted that the process of recognition of the OCU by the Orthodox Churches of the world would continue. However, the expert listed the churches that are currently facing challenges in doing so due to Moscow's pressure.
The conversation took place in the context of the important recent statement of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, that showed support of the OCU on the part of Ecumenical Orthodoxy.
"The Ukrainian Local Church became not only just the 15th entry in the diptych, having received autocephaly and Tomos. We are becoming an independent, independent, full-fledged subject of the orthodox legal and diplomatic world. This means that the process of recognizing the OCU will continue. But don't expect it to be fast. Present-day Orthodoxy is in a bipolar format: there are Churches that are drawn towards Constantinople, and there are Churches that are favorable to Russia. The latter are under great pressure from the Russian Orthodox Church, sitting on their money hook. Therefore, Moscow will do everything possible to slow down their rapprochement with the local Church of Ukraine. We are referring to the Churches of Antioch, Serbia, possibly Bulgaria and Poland," the expert explained.
According to her, much depends on Ukraine.
"In the same letter, the Patriarch of Constantinople emphasizes the need for order and compliance with the rules. If we want to become part of the civilized Orthodox world, we must try our best to avoid the scandals that occurred with the former head of the Kyiv Patriarchate Filaret. He left and began to form his own dioceses in the diasporas. Although our Tomos on autocephaly clearly states that the diaspora is under the jurisdiction of Constantinople. Therefore, the Local Church of Ukraine must continue its path of development, and there are all conditions for this. However, any controversial issues, issues that do not suit us, should be resolved at the councils," adds Liudmyla Fylypovych.