UOC rep: UOC hoped for Phanar’s sound assessment of situation in Ukraine
Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich). Photo: 112.ua
In 2018, there was no suspicion that Patriarch Bartholomew would legalize the schismatics since the UOC hoped for a sound assessment of the situation in Ukraine. Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, the UOC Chancellor, said this in the project of the Odessa Eparchy "Faces".
“We hoped for soundness in assessing the situation in Ukraine. Indeed, before this meeting (of the head of the Phanar with the members of the Holy Synod of the UOC in 2018 – Ed.), I travelled several times, personally met with Patriarch Bartholomew, described him the real situation, based on documents. But for some reason, it was not the logic of the canonical Church that was perceived, but the logic of the schismatics,” the Metropolitan explained.
According to him, one gets the impression that at that time "there was already some ground for acting against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in such a villainous way" and in the Phanar it was as if they were "expecting a certain situation when one can simply interfere in the church life of another Local Church in a direct and arrogant way".
“When there was no opportunity, when there was another reality, they (Phanariots – Ed.) recognized us very reverently and spoke good words. But when the opportunity arose, then, forgive me, (acted – Ed.) like a predator that expects when it can pounce on the victim. Unfortunately, this is what happened,” added the UOC Chancellor.
Metropolitan Anthony noted that when the Ukrainian Orthodox Church now states about the seizures of its churches, about the beating of believers and priests, in Phanar "it is as if they did not notice this, as if there was some kind of veil on their eyes".
“This, of course, is a spiritual illness, because (this – Ed.) is the insensibility of the pain of another person, especially the Church, which they consider their daughter. Like a parent who can see their daughter's suffering and does not to try to help but accepts the logic of those who victimize their daughter. This, I say it again, is not only non-ecclesiastical logic but also not human. There is no humanity in these actions,” resumed the UOC Chancellor.
In the opinion of Metropolitan Anthony, the main problem of Orthodoxy now is the new ecclesiology of the Phanar.
Напомним, по мнению митрополита Антония, главная проблема Православия сейчас – это новая экклезиология Фанара.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.