UOC Synod resolves to consider “Unification Council” as unlawful assembly
Session of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
On December 7, 2018, the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Onufriy, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, informed all the bishops of the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding the “unification council”.
According to the UOJ, the members of the Synod condemned the event and decided to consider it an illegal assembly, since representatives of schismatic "churches" are going to take part in it.
“In the light of the above and based on the Decree of the Council of Bishops of the UOC of November 13, 2018, the episcopate, clergy, monkhood, and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are not blessed to take part in the so-called unification council,” said His Beatitude Onufriy.
The members of the Synod called the incidence of pressure on the Church as "direct coercion to violate the bishop's oath, which the bishops pledged to abide by even under the threat of death."
“The Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not authorize anyone from among the episcopate, clergy, monkhood, and laity to represent the UOC at the so-called unification council,” the Synod participants officially announced.
Earlier, the UOJ announced that His Beatitude Onufriy and other hierarchs of the UOC, who had received invitations to the “unification council”, are returning them to the Patriarch of Constantinople without an answer.
Read also
Major U.S. hospital network refuses to implement new assisted suicide law
Advocate Health Care said it would not participate in Illinois’ assisted suicide program.
OCU activists call TRC to service of persecuted UOC community in Kremenchuk
After seizing the Holy Trinity Church in Kremenchuk, Dumenko's followers attempted to disrupt the worship service of UOC believers held in the open air.
Bila Tserkva authorities attempting to seize monastery building from UOC
The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting to reclaim the buildings of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent for communal ownership through the courts.
Egyptian police arrest Christians targeted in Muslim attacks
Copts were released once they withdrew their complaints against their assailants.
Primate of Macedonian Church congratulates Lavra's abbot on name day
Archbishop Stefan noted the zeal of the Lavra's abbot, who shares the sorrows of his flock.
Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church
The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.