UOC publishes Address by the Holy Synod

A meeting of the Holy Synod of the UOC. Photo: The UOC Information and Education Department

On May 23, 2023, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the UOC was held at the Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania, reports the UOC Information and Education Department. The meeting was dedicated to the anniversary of the Local Council and the 31st anniversary of the Bishops’ Council of Kharkiv. Here is the full text of the Address.

"On May 27, 2023, it will be one year since the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was held at the Holy Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania, Kyiv. The Council is the highest body of church administration convened by the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to address fundamental theological, canonical, and liturgical issues. On the same day, thirty-one years ago, the Bishops’ Council of Kharkiv took place, opening a new page in the history of Orthodox Ukraine. The Council in Feofania was a response to the challenging questions of church life that arose as a result of the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. After lengthy constructive discussions, the participants of the Council – bishops, clergy, monastics, and laypeople – made a series of important decisions recorded in the Council's Resolution.

Special attention was given to the amendments and changes made to the Statute on the administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The amendments not only expanded the possibilities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as an independent and self-governing Church but also served as a compelling argument against numerous slanderous and fabricated accusations that have been and, unfortunately, continue to be made against our Church. In addition, as a result of the Council's work, the ancient practice of making the Holy Chrism was restored in Kyiv. Within a year after the Council, over 40 Ukrainian Orthodox parishes abroad began their operations, which are now united in the Western European Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was also the fulfilment of the conciliar decision regarding the need for a mission among Orthodox Ukrainians who, as a result of the war, found themselves forced to be outside their homeland in order to preserve their faith, culture, language, and Orthodox identity. A year of church life has testified to the correctness of the decisions made by this Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which symbolically took place exactly on the thirtieth anniversary of the historical Bishops’ Council of Kharkiv. It was during the Kharkiv Council that the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, through their common spiritual work in the grace of the Holy Spirit, demonstrated the ability to find correct church solutions in response to the complex challenges of today.

The war that came to our Ukrainian land over a year ago has become a serious challenge and a heavy trial for all of us. From the very beginning of the bloodshed, prayers for the Ukrainian state, its territorial integrity, and our soldiers who are currently fighting for the sovereignty of Ukraine have been continuously offered in all the temples and monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. From the very first days of the full-scale invasion of Russian forces into Ukrainian territory, our Church condemned this bloody war, actively participated in the defence of the Homeland by all possible means, and blesses the faithful to defend their native Ukraine. It is through our unity, not division, mutual understanding, not humiliation or accusation, that we will be able to sow the seeds of peace, which will soon bear the fruits of material renewal and spiritual revival of Ukraine.

May the Merciful Lord help all of us to labour for the sake of victory, for the establishment of peace and for the preaching of love. In this challenging time for our Homeland, let us remember the words of God spoken to the holy prophet Isaiah: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

Earlier, the Information and Education Department stated that the hierarchs of the UOC performed a liturgy before the meeting of the Holy Synod.

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