The Council of Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy of UAOC (renewed) officially confirmed to the Vatican its intend to integrate with the UGCC

On April 5, 2017, exactly a quarter century after the first Council of the renewed Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy of UAOC, the 27th Council was held in St. Demetrius Church of Kharkiv. The Council was attended by 32 delegates (12 priests and 20 lay people). Head of the UGCC, Patriarch Sviatoslav was attending and participated in the discussion.

According to the press service of the Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy of UAOC (renewed), the theme of conciliar discussion topic a “vibrant parish” as a model of the parish community. The discussion was attended by Archbishop Ihor (Isichenko), superiors and representatives of parish communities. A relevant resolution was adopted.

Archbishop Ihor and Patriarch Sviatoslav spoke about the progress of the integration of the Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy of UAOC (renewed) and the UGCC.

Delegates appealed to Pope Francis with a letter, which confirmed the intention to obtain an administrative unity and full communion with the UGCC. The elections of the diocesan board, audit committee, and the diocesan court were held. Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsya was decided to schedule on July 15-16, 2017.

As RISU reported, in an interview with "Nation and State" newspaper, Archbishop Ihor Isichenko said on what principles the Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy of UAOC would unite with the UGCC. The unity of the Kharkiv-Poltava Eparchy of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church with the UGCC it is not the matter of passing to a different denomination or acceding to it, but, as Archbishop Igor puts it, of the “fraternal advice on recovery of administrative and Eucharistic unity between the two Churches."

Archbishop Isichenko explained that "the UGCC from the late nineteenth century successfully runs the process of restoring the authentic Kyivan and is the closest of our local Christian communities to the Kyivan tradition.”

"We have asked the UGCC episcopate asking for advice on restoring fraternal Eucharistic and administrative unity between our churches. I am eternally grateful for what our appeal, despite his complete surprise for the Church, was made with affection, understanding, and respect for our position. Hierarchical Synod of the UGCC in September 2015 set up a commission to prepare an answer to this request. Currently ongoing work of the said commission, "- said Archbishop Ihor (Isichenko).