Met. Rastislav alerts Bp. Isaiah to consequences of serving with OCU
Metropolitan Rastislav. Photo: OCCLS website
The Synod of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia did not recognize the OCU’s autocephaly, therefore the message of Bishop Isaiah (Slaninka) of Sumper about the participation in the celebrations of the newly formed church structure is "a manifestation of gross neglect and disrespect" to the chairman and other members of the Synod. This is stated in the appeal of the Metropolitan of Czech Lands and Slovakia, Rastislav (Gont), published on the website of the OCCLS on November 21, 2019.
The UOJ cites the full text of His Beatitude Rastislav to Bishop Isaiah.
“Since the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Czech Lands and Slovakia has not yet recognized the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, I have to acknowledge your “notification” of participation in the celebrations in Kyiv as a gross disregard for the chairman of the Holy Synod, disrespect for and lack of solidarity with other members of the Holy Synod.
Alongside the other hierarchs of our Local Church, you signed a decision on our restrained position until reaching a pan-Orthodox consensus on the issues of the Ukrainian schism and autocephaly.
If you nevertheless take part in the celebrations, the Holy Synod of our Local Church will act in accordance with the holy canons of violating the bishop’s obedience to his metropolitan.
I really hope that, taking into account the above facts, you will reconsider your intention to take part in the celebrations in Kiev on November 21, 2019,” said the Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Metropolitan Rastislav.
Recall, on November 20, 2019, the hierarch of the structure of the Patriarchate of Constantinople created in the Czech Republic, Bishop Isaiah (Slaninka), performed a joint service in St. Mikhail Monastery of Kiev with Epiphany Dumenko and the “hierarchy” of the OCU. As Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich, Deputy Head of the UOC DECR noted, they will try to interpret the fact of this service as the beginning of recognition of the OCU by the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, but this is not true, because the presence of Bishop Isaiah at the service of the new church structure is an arbitrary act.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.