Other Orthodox Churches are almost ready to recognize the OCU, and we are waiting for decisions, - Metropolitan Epifaniy

"In general, there are several local Orthodox Churches in which the majority of the episcopate headed by the Primate are almost ready to recognize our autocephalous status. This is also the Georgian Orthodox Church, where the majority favors it. But there are certain supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church in every Church. And they are trying, as a minority, to obstruct the majority. And we can see this in the example of the transition of parishes in Ukraine. In most parishes, 90% of parishioners decide to join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but the minority very often hinders this process.

The same process is taking place in local Orthodox churches, where there are several bishops who are against it. We can see this in the example of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus: two or three are against, and most are in favor. But the Orthodox Church of Cyprus has set an example for other churches on how to move towards recognizing our autocephalous status. For the first time the Primate remembers the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the diptych, and then a respective decision is made at the Synod by a simple majority. Therefore, I am convinced that other Orthodox Churches will follow this path, as well. This includes the Church of Jerusalem, the Churches of Romania, Bulgaria, Albania. It is difficult to say now because the Cypriot Church as a whole was ready before. Last year and in 2019, the Primate was ready to make a decision, but he took certain neutrality – he looked at our development and our approval. And in communication with him, he confirmed this to me: that we expected, we were observing and we saw that you have succeeded as a church, and therefore we made the appropriate decision.

And so now we can expect, but it is a little difficult to say clearly which of these Churches will join first. Because the solution is maturing in them, they are almost ready, but you just need to voice it. And in what order it will be – now it is even difficult to predict. And I would not like to announce this and weaponize our opponents, who are already working hard to suspend this process. But this process is also irreversible, and in the future – perhaps this calendar year – we will be granted recognition by other Orthodox Churches," the Metropolitan of the OCU said.