UOC-MP Likes Latest Initiatives On Overcoming Divide in Ukrainian Orthodoxy

On 20 July the head of the Information and Educational Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), protopriest Heorhii Kovalenko, spoke live on the 1st National TV channel in a program dedicated to the visit of Patriarch Kirill. Kovalenko in particular stressed that UOC-MP welcomes the decision of the council of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) about renewing the dialogue with the UOC-MP on overcoming the divide.  According to him, in the nearest future, meetings of the committees of the two churches on the dialogue will be held. Meetings with representatives of the Kyivan Patriarchate are also planned.

The priest stressed that the conditions of unification, which are required by the UOC-MP, are invariable: the process is to be based on the traditions and canons of the Orthodox Churches. And in this process, the desire of unity should be in the most important.

"One must really desire it. When the principled question is settled, ways to unification will be found. It is to be a model acceptable for the Orthodox community," said Kovalenko.

According to him, the issue of the divide of Ukrainian Orthodoxy will be discussed at the all-Orthodox Council, which is being prepared by the Constantinople Patriarchate and other canonical Orthodox Churches.

Another important moment in the process of unification of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy, according to Kovalenko, is repentance: "Everything should begin with repentance. Of priority should be not the political speculations but the Evangelical approach, the all-Orthodox community should elaborate a single position and politicians have nothing to do with it."