Rector of KDAiS: The Ukrainian issue can only be resolved at the pan-Orthodox level
Rector of KDAiS Archbishop Sylvester. Photo: pravlife.org
Archbishop Sylvester (Stoychev), rector of the Kyiv Theological Schools, answering a question from a journalist from the dialogtut resource about the status of the UOC, said that the “Ukrainian church issue” is a problem of such magnitude that can only be resolved at the pan-Orthodox level.
“The Ukrainian Orthodox Church cannot resolve this issue without the involvement of other Local Churches. Our Church has refrained from taking such a rash step as unilaterally proclaiming autocephaly. It would definitely be a road to nowhere,” added Vladyka.
The hierarch explained that the opponents of the UOC are also awaiting a solution to the issue, as they understand that in the event of self-proclamation of autocephaly, the Church will be in limbo for many years.
“At the same time, this will not be accepted not only by a significant part of our flock, but also by the Local Orthodox Churches, which are always extremely cautious in such matters. Therefore, in conclusion, I will say the following: the UOC is de facto an independent Church, but the finalization of this status is still a matter of the future,” summed up the Archbishop of Bilohorodka.
As the UOJ reported, Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka said that the UOC is an independent Church, but this does not imply its being in schism.
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