OCU "Synod" disappointed over UOC's unwillingness to engage in dialogue

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry and Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: Unified Church

On 7 November 2024, during a meeting of the OCU "Synod" held in Kyiv, the "hierarchs" expressed deep disappointment over the lack of response from the UOC to Dumenko's call for dialogue, reports the press service of the OCU.

"The Holy Synod is deeply disappointed by the complete absence of reaction from the addressees of the Appeal, reminding us of the words of Scripture: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep' (Luke 7:32). However, the Synod does not lose hope for a constructive response to the Appeal and for positive steps to be taken by both Metropolitan Onuphry and the representatives of the jurisdiction he leads," the OCU statement reads.

Dumenko’s structure continues to insist on the importance of beginning negotiations and seeking paths toward church unity.

As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol stated that the appeal by the head of the OCU, Epifaniy Dumenko, about the unity with the UOC "is driven not by a desire to be united with us in spirit and truth, but by other intentions that are far from such desires". Therefore, the bishop urged not to compromise with those who serve worldly interests.

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