MP Pavlenko: There cannot be another Church in Ukraine besides the OCU
Rostyslav Pavlenko. Photo: Ukrainian News
Rostyslav Pavlenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament from the European Solidarity party, stated that even if the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) severs ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), it will not be able to operate in Ukraine unless it joins the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), according to Ukrainian News.
He emphasized that after the Tomos of Autocephaly was granted to the OCU by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, any parallel Orthodox jurisdictions in Ukraine are only possible with the consent of the OCU.
"The Ecumenical Patriarch has repeatedly stated, including in 2020 in response to a well-known journalists' inquiry, that the current episcopate of the UOC-MP is considered titular clergy. This means they are clergy with a certain title but do not lead the corresponding dioceses and parishes. In other words, they are priests, they are hierarchs, but their association is not a church. The UOC-MP is not listed in the diptychs – the list of autocephalous Orthodox churches unlike the OCU after receiving the Tomos. After the Tomos, there cannot be another Orthodox Church on the territory of Ukraine besides the OCU," Pavlenko noted.
Pavlenko also expressed his belief that if the UOC is banned, its representatives will not be able to establish a new Orthodox jurisdiction in Ukraine without the approval of the OCU. He argued that the existence of a parallel Orthodox jurisdiction alongside the OCU contradicts church canons.
The MP stated that the Orthodox world is governed by the canons and decisions of the Ecumenical Councils, which form a hierarchical system of canonical law, and added that the Tomos of Autocephaly for the OCU is the cornerstone for the Orthodox world in Ukraine.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the head of the Rada committee, Mykyta Poturaev, outlined the demands on the UOC in light of the new bill.
Read also
“Deteriorating for decades”: RCC asks Zelensky to return its church in Kyiv
The Catholic parish complains that the Ministry of Culture has not even repaired the roof after the Russian missile strike at the end of last year.
Another court hearing on Upper Lavra case to be held in Kyiv
The court will review the lawsuit filed by the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra against the National Reserve.
Media: UOC deacon, abducted by Military Recruitment Office, was beaten
The clergyman was abducted by the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) staff on February 20 in Kyiv and later taken to the Desna training center.
Female chaplain: I can hear confessions, perform weddings and funerals
A woman from Halychyna has been actively supporting Ukrainian servicemen on the front lines for over two years.
Polish Church calls on believers to pray for peace in Ukraine
The Polish Orthodox Church reminded that there are currently more than 180 active armed conflicts worldwide.
Zaluzhny to Englismen in London UGCC сhurch: "With your help, we will win"
An interfaith prayer service was held in a Greek Catholic cathedral in London with the participation of an Anglican bishop and a rabbi.