Metropolitan Onufry: OCU received Tomos of slavery, not freedom

The Primate chaired the general meeting of the deans of the three eparchies of the Kiev region

The Tomos granted to the OCU is the Tomos of slavery, not freedom. Such an opinion was expressed by the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry during the general meeting of the deans of the three eparchies of the Kiev region, which took place on March 28, 2019, at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, reports the UOC Information Centre.

“This notorious Tomos is the tomos of slavery, not freedom. All important issues are coordinated with the Patriarch of Constantinople, the latter responds with pleasure, tells them how and what to do, comedy ... But the prospect of this comedy is different – next, there will be an association with Greek Catholics, under the omophorion of the Pope, and even further – some gloomy prospects. Why do we need all this?!” emphasized His Beatitude.

Metropolitan Onufry said that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has more freedom.

“We have absolute freedom ... What prevents us from saving ourselves?” The Patriarch of Moscow – does not interfere; Constantinople – now it helps to get better. True freedom is freedom from sin, and not from the fact that someone has an influence on us. This is not the freedoms for which it is necessary to "break spears". Today, our Church has all the freedoms we need to effectively carry out our ministry,” said His Beatitude Onufry.

He emphasized that there is no absolute freedom either in church life or in secular life.

“There is no absolute freedom for either the state or man. Even those who are very wealthy depend on something, they must reckon with the people around them. If a person does not live like this – his/her inner world will be artificial, abstract. Such a person will not be able to live among people. People need to communicate, to be considered. If a person does not like the neighbour, anyway, he/she is looking for good contacts so as not to quarrel with him. Because if relations with the neighbour are not good, this is the worst that can be.”

The primate stressed that the Lord always sends the conditions necessary for the coexistence of people.

“God put us next to each other. We must humble ourselves before each other, we "grind" each other like stones, when there are many of them, they are moved back and forth, and they polish each other. So we live together, in this common life, we “polish” one another and become worthy of eternal life and salvation,” concluded Metropolitan Onuphrius.

The meeting was attended by the head of the Borispol Eparchy, the Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary, the head of the Belaya Tserkov Eparchy, Metropolitan Augustin of Belaya Tserkov and Boguslav, as well as the vicar bishops of the Kiev Metropolitanate.

His Beatitude Onufry thanked the clergy for their faithful service to the Church, understanding of Her purpose and verified position in today’s challenging conditions.

As the UOJ reported, in the pastoral Epistle to the flock of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the occasion of the beginning of Great Lent, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry wished everyone to usefully spend these saving days and establish themselves in the love of God and neighbour.

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