Metropolitan Pavel says why former hieromonk of Lavra shifted for OCU

Metropolitan Pavel, abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Lavra's Facebook pageел. Фото: Фейсбук-страница Лавры

Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, told the UOJ why the ex-monk of the monastery, hieromonk Innokenty (Pidtoptany) ended up in the schism.

“This is a proud, arrogant, power-hungry person, a person who considers himself a great theologian. So Pidtoptany was offended that for three years he was not appreciated as he would like and was not promoted to the rank of archimandrite and bishop,” said Vladyka Pavel. “He wanted to become a bishop in order to satisfy his pride, his passion to possess someone's souls. Therefore, he left the monastery, wishing to become vicar bishop of Vladyka Pitirim (the ruling bishop of the Mykolaiv Eparchy of the UOC – Ed.). but they did not succeed (Archimandrite Varnava (Gladun) was elected as vicar bishop of the Mykolaiv Eparchy – Ed.).”

Metropolitan Pavel emphasized that not only Pidtoptany but practically everyone who left the UOC and fell into schism did it for the sake of glory and satisfaction of their ambitions.

Vladyka also denies that Pidtoptany, as he is now saying in the media, has always had autocephalous views and supported the OCU.

“He has always treated Drabinko, Simeon (Shostatsky) and even Patriarch Bartholomew himself with contempt,” Vladyka Pavel said. “I know this for sure, because he worked under my leadership, dealt with the church calendar, website, and edited materials. He had no pro-OCU views. Moreover, in communication he showed openly pro-Russian sympathies. Therefore, I personally do not understand where Fr. Innokenty’s opposite views emerged from. However, this applies to all of them (who shifted for the OCU – Ed.).

As reported, Metropolitan Onuphry banned the former monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Hieromonk Innokenty (Pidtoptany), from ministry for falling into schism.

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