Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

Heads of Local Churches at the Crete Council. Photo: christianitytoday.com
Greek theologian, Professor Nikos Kouremenos of the University of Athens, stated that the religious situation in Ukraine is dividing the Local Orthodox Churches.
In an interview with Euronews, Nikos Kouremenos explained that the OCU has been recognized by only a minority of the 15 official Orthodox Churches: the Churches of Cyprus, Greece, and Alexandria, while the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) still considers it a schismatic group.
"The Orthodox world is clearly divided when it comes to the Ukrainian religious question,” explained Nikos Kouremenos, a lecturer at the University of Athens.
“Some Orthodox churches that can be considered as satellites of Moscow, like the Serb and the Syrian Patriarchates of Belgrade and of Antioch respectively, have openly rejected the idea of an autocephalous Kyiv Orthodox Church,” he said.
"The rest of the patriarchates, like the Georgian and the Romanian ones, have not taken any formal step toward the recognition of the (Orthodox) Church of Ukraine. They have abstained,” Kouremenos noted.
According to him, many Ukrainian Orthodox believers do not want to leave the UOC and join the OCU “fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics.”
Yet, he says, the entire religious situation in Ukraine “turned into a schism of its own..”
Previously, UOJ reported that the Greek theologian explained why Churches do not condemn Patriarch Kirill as heretic.
Read also

Pope Leo holds conversation with Putin
The Kremlin website stated that the conversation was “constructive,” with both sides expressing their intention to “continue contacts.”
Saudi Arabia expects 1 mln pilgrims in Mecca and temperatures reaching 50°C
The country has planted 10,000 trees and installed 400 water coolers and misting systems.
UOC chapel of the Most Holy Theotokos consecrated in Kamyanka village
The chapel was built with funds from the families of fallen Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers.
Cardinal Parolin on the war in Ukraine: Weapons can and must fall silent
“No war is inevitable, no peace is impossible,” declared the Vatican Secretary of State.
BOC Primate expresses support for Sinai Monastery brotherhood
“The holy monastery is a place of spiritual struggle for its brotherhood and must not be regarderd as a museum,” stated Patriarch Daniel.
Man on trial in Ternopil Region for criticizing trident symbols in churches
A man faces up to three years in prison for criticizing state symbols depicted in icons and churches.