UOC: Kherson Eparchy operates within its former boundaries

St. Catherine’s Church in Kherson. Photo: wikipedia.org

In connection with the appearance in the press of information concerning the activities and structure of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the territory of the Kherson region, the official website of the UOC published a statement according to which the Kherson Eparchy of the UOC operates within its former boundaries.

The UOC noted that "by the canonical documents based on which the UOC operates, the creation and reorganisation of new eparchies within its canonical territory is carried out exclusively by the UOC Synod or the UOC Council of Bishops and the UOC Council”.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church emphasised that "no decisions regarding changes in the structure of the Kherson Eparchy were made by these higher governing bodies of the UOC".

"Therefore, there have been no changes in the canonical structure of the eparchy either," the document said.

The statement also reads that "the ruling bishop responsible for ensuring the canonical order in all specified administrative units of the Kherson region, including temporarily uncontrolled territories within Ukraine, is Metropolitan John of Kherson and Taurida.”

As earlier reported, the ROC took away part of the Kherson Eparchy.

Read also

MP: Authorities examining UOC’s status based on Russian documents

Mykyta Poturaev stated that Lavrov “set up” Metropolitan Onuphry with his statements supporting the UOC.

Festive Liturgy to celebrate anniversary of UOC Council held in Feofania

Many hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church gathered for the Liturgy.