Drabinko calls Law 8371 populist
Oleksandr Drabinko. Photo: velychlviv.com
Former bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who transferred to the OCU, Oleksandr Drabinko, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the adoption of Law No. 8371, which bans the UOC. In a comment to the Glavcom publication, he stated that this law will not lead to significant changes: "They banned the Communist Party, but the communists didn’t go anywhere. To me, the adoption of this law is more of a populist move that will lead to nothing but legal restrictions."
Drabinko also noted that this law could be a step toward the UOC withdrawing from the Moscow Patriarchate: "In principle, this is one of the steps that will help the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) not just dissociate from the Russian Orthodox Church, as was stated at the Council in Feofania on May 27, 2022, but to actually leave the Moscow Patriarchate. The first step was taken on that path, and now the second should follow."
As reported by the UOJ, the "hierarch" of the OCU, Oleksandr Drabinko, stated that the OCU struggles to staff its structure with its own resources.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.