Met. Alexander (Drabinko): If everything is canonical, I will join the SLC
Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko) of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Vishnevoye
Met. Alexander (Drabinko) of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Vishnevoye will join the future Local Church in Ukraine if everything is canonical. The hierarch said this on October 23 in an interview with the "Radio Liberty".
“I am inclined to think that if everything goes the canonical way, as it is going now, I don’t see any obstacles and barriers to becoming a member of this undivided Single Local Ukrainian Church,” said Met. Alexander.
The hierarch also noted that the Ukrainian Church has repeatedly fought for its full independence after it was annexed in 1686 by the Moscow Kingdom.
“The fact that the UOC wants its independence is something we have been talking about for a hundred years,” said the hierarch. “This is not the first attempt to realize this, so to speak, dream: self-identification, self-identity of the Ukrainian people.”
At the same time, Met. Alexander emphasizes that he himself is going to act according to the Gospel on the issue of transition to the SLC, discussing it with his flock.
Earlier, Met. Alexander (Drabinko) said that he was not sure whether to go to the SLC since he felt responsible for the fate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which "is in crisis". On May 25, 2018, the Holy Synod of the UOC called upon Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko) to refrain from making statements that bring temptation into the hearts of believers.
Read also
Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church
According to the Minister of Culture, authorities plan to seize 800 churches from the Moldovan Church, but they lack the capability to manage them.
Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv
The appellate court declared invalid the re-registration of the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv.
2,800-year-old seal with biblical symbols found in Israel
Israeli archaeologists have found a stone seal from the era of Judean kings with an inscription in ancient Hebrew.
Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons
The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.
UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary
Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon
Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.