UGCC and OCU reps quarrel over Kuntsevich
The OCU considers Kuntsevich a maniac, Uniates – a symbol of the entire UGCC. Photo: ikonopys
OCU cleric Viktor Martynenko, who regularly serves with the Phanar's exarch in Kyiv, expressed perplexity on his Facebook page that the head of the UGCC S. Shevchuk called Kuntsevich "an apostle of unity". In his opinion, Kuntsevich's place is in history, not in the church calendar.
"A fanatic, whose manic cruelty surprised even like-minded people, is honoured today as an 'apostle of unity'." Are you serious? Someone who, out of hatred for the Orthodox, even dug up the dead and threw them to the dogs, is an "apostle of unity"? Persecution, pogroms, religious intolerance, abuse of holy sites – this is the legacy of the flighty archbishop of Polotsk. Do we really need him now?" wrote Martynenko.
His post sparked outrage in the comments from representatives of the UGCC.
Theologian and very well-known in Lviv Greek Catholic priest Yuriy (Yustyn) Boyko said that Kuntsevich "is a symbol of the entire UGCC".
"You are stirring up the opening of the second church front. Now with the UGCC. And this is very offensive and dangerous, especially when it comes to the saint whose memory has been honoured for centuries," Boyko wrote to Martynenko and wished him that "in the new body of the OCU, a new spirit of the OCU rather than ROC or UOC-MP should live".
In turn, a religious scholar and OCU supporter (formerly a member of the UGCC) said that the cult of Kuntsevich in the UGCC is "anti-Orthodox" but the Uniates "have never felt this, not at all."
Earlier, Shevchuk called Kuntsevich, who persecuted the Orthodox, "an apostle of unity".
Read also
UOC priest’s father killed in AFU military service laid to rest in Sumy
UOC clergy held a funeral service for Ukrainian serviceman Serhii Taptunov at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Sumy. He was buried at a city cemetery with military honors.
Patriarch Bartholomew says his see ensures unity in Christ’s Body
Speaking at the Bulgarian Church's Holy Synod, Patriarch Bartholomew declared that the Archbishop of Constantinople serves as the unifying link and guarantor of Orthodox unity.
Patriarch Daniel calls for preserving Church unity
In a sermon at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, the Bulgarian Primate emphasized humility, repentance, and fidelity to the Orthodox faith as the path to overcoming divisions.
Bulgarian and Constantinople Patriarchs attend Liturgy at Sofia Cathedral
Metropolitan Barnabas presided over the Liturgy at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia as part of celebrations marking two anniversaries of St. John of Rila.
Prosecutors seek to seize Dormition Church from UOC community in Pisky
Prosecutors are seeking to transfer a wooden church in Poltava Region, handed over to believers in 1992, to state ownership under the regional administration.
Metropolitan Onuphry: Love for enemies destroys evil, revenge multiplies it
The UOC Primate urged believers to forgive those who wrong them and do good without expecting gratitude or reward.