UOC bishop: Cypriot Synod’s Communiqué speaks of threat of schism in Church

Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria) of Nizhyn and Priluky of the UOC. Photo: news.church.ua

The communiqué of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus of November 25, 2020 directly speaks of the existing threat of a schism in the Church, the head of the UOC Synodal Information and Education Department, Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria) of Nizhyn and Priluky, said in a comment to RIA-Novosti.

“From Cyprus today, sometimes diametrically opposite information is heard about what the Synod has adopted,” the Metropolitan noted. “The way the decision is written in the official communiqué, we can say that it is completely illiterate in the theological sense. The Synod did not recognize the OCU. Most of the Synodals did not vote on this. In order to avoid an open conflict in the Church, the Synod decided, literally, not to contradict the Primate of the Church of Cyprus in commemorating Epiphany Dumenko. "

According to the hierarch, the decision of the Synodals, who could not come to a common opinion, may indicate that "by this decision they only agreed that their primate should do what he wants, and they will continue to adhere to their positions".

In addition, he added, the published Communiqué directly speaks of the existing threat of a split in the Church.

“I think this indicates a serious internal problem that has arisen within the Church of Cyprus itself. There is a conflict, no matter how they try to cover it up. And it will make itself felt at every opportunity,” concluded Metropolitan Clement.

As reported, on November 25, 2020, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, by a majority vote, supported the decision of Archbishop Chrysostomos to commemorate Epiphany Dumenko.

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