Pat. Kirill calls on Abp. Chrysostomos to reconsider recognition of OCU

Patriarch Kirill and Archbishop Chrysostomos. Photo: gr.pravoslavie.ru

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, has exhorted the head of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, to reconsider his decision to recognize the OCU, Romfea publication reports.

Responding to the congratulations of the Archbishop of Cyprus on the occasion of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Patriarch Kirill writes that “this year the joy of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ was overshadowed by the sad news of your commemoration in the assembly of the Primates of the Holy Churches of God of the leader of one of the Ukrainian schismatic groups. I am deeply saddened by such decision of yours."

Further, in his letter, the Patriarch of Moscow added that “having recognized Sergei Dumenko (‘Metropolitan’ Epiphany) as the ‘Primate of the Church of Ukraine’ as stated in the communiqué of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus on November 25, you, to your great chagrin, let the schismatics into communion. In addition, you are well acquainted with the true Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine."

The Primate of the Russian Church stressed that "two metropolitans cannot coexist in Ukraine, just as two archbishops of Cyprus cannot coexist in Cyprus at the same time."

"Your Beatitude, on the days of the bright Feast of the Nativity of Christ, I appeal to you to reconsider your decision or postpone it until a pan-Orthodox decision on the Ukrainian issue is made," Patriarch Kirill wrote in conclusion.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus denies that he and the head of Phanar took money from the United States.

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