Reps of Kyivan Patriarchate: UOC-MP Was Seized

Representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate commented to Kommersant-Ukraine  on the decisions of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate held on 26 January under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Ahafangel of Odesa and Izmail who has the longest record of bishop’s ministry.

As RISU reported, the Synod cancelled the previously-established committee of three bishops who collectively governed the Kyivan Eparchy during the period of sickness of Metropolitan Volodymyr. This function has been transferred to the Superior of the Kyiv Cave Monastery, Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed). In addition, Archbishop Oleksandr (Drabynko) has been dismissed from the position of the senior priest of the Cathedral of Resurrection of Christ, which is under construction, “in order to improve the administration and financial activity connected with the construction.” The Press Secretary of Metropolitan Volodymyr, Protopriest Heorhii Kovalenko has been dismissed from the position of the deputy senior priest of the cathedral.

Representatives of the UOC-Kyivan Patriarchate consider the decisions of the Synod non-canonical. “The decision to appoint Metropolitan Pavlo head of the Kyivan Eparchy contradicts the canons as Metropolitan Volodymyr is alive and it is him who is considered the head of the Eparchy. Only he personally could delegate his authority, but they have done it for him and actually seized the Church as raiders. It appears that Metropolitan Ahafangel is now going to change the Statutes, usurp the authority from Metropolitan Volodymyr and head UOC-MP ,” stated the Secretary of the Synod of UOC-Kyivan Patriarchate, Archbishop Yevstratii (Zoria).