UOC hierarch: Orthodox world must confront Phanar’s desire to rule

Bishop Sylvester of Bilogorodka. Photo: a screenshot / YouTube / Pershy Nezalezhny

Defending and developing its nonexistent privileges, the Patriarchate of Constantinople begins to behave more and more aggressively, so the Orthodox world must confront the Phanar's desire not only to have the lead but also to rule, said the rector of the Kyiv Theological Seminary, Bishop Sylvester (Stoychev) of Bilogorodka, on the air of the "Pershy Nezalezhny" TV channel. 

“Now, in the 21st century, alas, the See of Constantinople is beginning to behave more and more aggressively with regard to upholding and developing these alleged powers and privileges,” the hierarch noted. “And of course, the main part of the Orthodox world must take an active part in order, first, to comprehend all this; secondly, I dare say, to confront the Phanar's desire not only to have the lead but also to rule."

This opposition, in the opinion of Bishop Sylvester, in particular, should consist in bringing to the people the truth about the illegality of Phanar's actions.

“We understand that there is propaganda that imposes certain kinds of stereotypes and myths,” said the rector of the KDAiS. “And many people, including in Ukraine, are beginning to believe in these myths.

So, one of the main tasks, scientific and at the same time educational, is to give each person who, to one degree or another, involved in church processes, [...] the opportunity to explain that the Constantinople See does not have those rights and does not have those privileges [which it claims for – Ed.]. Accordingly, it illegally took those actions, carried out the policy that, unfortunately, has been implemented on the territory of Ukraine in recent years."

As reported, the Synod of the UOC decided to hold inter-Orthodox events for a theological and canonical assessment of the Phanar’s actions.

Read also