Elladic theologian: It’s not Moscow that prevents parishes from joining OCU

A service at the Pochaiv Lavra. Photo: MIR YouTube Channel

Greek canonist, theologian, and ecclesiastical writer Presbyter Anastasios Gotsopoulos, in his research on the State Ethnopolitics Expertise regarding the links between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), stressed that both the government and Epifaniy Dumenko (head of the OCU – Ed.) had anticipated that the war would lead to a mass transition of church parishes to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). However, this did not happen.

Commenting on the period when the Tomos was granted in 2019, the priest noted that the initiators of the OCU’s creation had already encountered the failure of their project. Instead of repenting, however, they "began a ruthless war against the canonical Church, seizing churches, forcibly expelling parishioners, engaging in banditry, and subjecting the clergy and Orthodox believers to persecution by state services and semi-state groups – actions reminiscent of atheistic regimes."

"In February 2022, after the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the authors and supporters of the 'Tomos of Autocephaly' believed their problem would be resolved. They thought the bishops, remaining clergy, and faithful who had remained loyal to the canonical Church of Metropolitan Onufriy would now join the autocephalous church of Epifaniy. Thus, finally, the churches of the autocephalous church would be filled with believers! But in vain… Once again, their predictions and wishes did not come true!" the Greek theologian wrote.

He pointed out that "all the arguments they had been using to explain why the overwhelming majority of the Ukrainian people (both clergy and laity) remained faithful to their tradition, to the Church of their fathers, to the canonical Orthodox Church, have now run out."

"To now resort to the argument that Moscow is pressuring, influencing, and… funding thousands of clergymen and millions of believers so that they do not join Epifaniy, but instead remain in the canonical Church despite ongoing persecution, reveals that those who use this argument are, at best, fools…" the priest wrote.

As a result, he noted, "persecution, imprisonment, violence, and harassment of many bishops, priests, and believers have only intensified. The seizures of parish churches continued with the use of angle grinders, crowbars, hacksaws, tear gas, and even firearms."

"And still, no result! Faithful people turn away from Epiphanius and his structure. Ultimately, Zelensky’s government, supported by the autocephalous church structure and even its primate, Epifaniy, has followed in the footsteps of the Soviet atheistic regime, aiming to outlaw the canonical Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Onufriy, which is recognized by all fourteen Orthodox Churches!" the theologian underscored.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, in Presbyter Anastasios Gotsopoulos’ view, Zelensky’s administration seeks to outlaw the UOC.

Read also