His Beatitude Onuphry comments on UOC ban

His Beatitude Onuphry. Photo: UOC

On 22 October 2023, Metropolitan Onuphry led the Divine Liturgy at the Lavra Church of St. Agapitus, reports the UOC press service. The Primate was concelebrated by Metropolitan Anthony, the UOC Chancellor, Bishop Lavr of Irpen, Bishop Mark of Borodianka and the clergy of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Onuphry commented on the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada deputies of Bill 8371, which provides for the ban of the UOC.

"We do not take offence at anyone," the Primate said. “One thing I would like to note is that the centre of governance of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church is in Ukraine, in this holy city of Kyiv. Everyone is looking for a spiritual centre we are governed from, there is such a centre, but it is in heaven. There is the Founder of our Church, the Head of our Church, whose name is our Lord Jesus Christ".

His Beatitude Onuphry said that no matter what decisions are made regarding the UOC, "we will still love everyone, we will love God, we will love our land, our people, our government, our army, we will love all people. And pray for them."

"Because our Church is a Church of love. If She is silenced, then there will be no life on earth. I myself am in this Church because it is the Church of love. It was founded by God, Who is Love," the Primate said.

As earlier reported, the Verkhovna Rada voted for banning the UOC.

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