If the UOC-MP intimidates with all sorts of troubles regarding the upcoming visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Kyiv, their words should not be taken seriously. They once opposed the pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II to Ukraine with the same arguments.
Religious scholar Yuri Chornomorets wrote about this on his Facebook page.
"I remember the UOC-MP protesting against the visit of the Pope, predicted terrible consequences - and none of the things they were afraid of ever happened. On the contrary, it had only useful consequences for Ukraine and for interfaith and inter-jurisdictional cooperation in Ukraine," the expert said.
"And now the UOC-MP is protesting against the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew, actively scaring with negative consequences, remembering all sorts of "wounds" and "guilt", for which he is also allegedly guilty. So, if you see the UOC-MP protesting against the visit, it means that the visit is definitely a good thing and will have good results for Ukraine!" Added Yuri Chornomorets.
As previously reported, the UOC-MP categorically opposes the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who was invited to Ukraine by Volodymyr Zelensky.
Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanych), chancellor of the UOC-MP, accused the Patriarch that the Tomos he provided to the Ukrainian Church brought grief and suffering to the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Earlier, Metropolitan Anthony threatened with a new round of religious confrontation in the state in connection with the arrival of the Ecumenical Patriarch.