Belarusian Orthodox Church speaks out against Phanar’s actions in Ukraine

Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church

The Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church expressed protest against Constantinople’s actions in Ukraine in its official statement of September 8, 2018, published on the BOC’s website. 

The bishops of the Belarusian Church see the recent appointment by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of two exarchs in Kiev as "the aggressive interference of one local Church in the internal affairs of another Local Church, aimed at disrupting the foundations of inter-Orthodox peace and unity".

In this regard, the Synod of the BPC expresses full support for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine—the canonical primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—the archpastors, clergy, pious laity, and children of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Synod calls on the clergy and flock of the Belarusian Exarchate to lift up special prayers to the Lord for the speedy healing and overcoming of the current situation, and for the admonition and repentance of those who provoke Church disorder and schisms, and for the welfare of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the establishment of peace in the Ukrainian land.

Earlier, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has appointed Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (the U.S) and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton (Canada) as its exarchs in Kiev "within the framework of the preparations for the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine". The ROC stated that Phanar’s actions would cause a resolute response.

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