UOC Chancellor: Orthodoxy is on the verge of a huge split due to Ukraine

UOC Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary. Photo: rusk.ru

The Orthodox Church is on the verge of a major split due to the situation in Ukraine, according to Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary. The hierarch's comment was published by the First Cossack.

"The Universalist Orthodox Church is facing a great crisis," said Metropolitan Anthony, explaining the tasks of the KDAiS-held International Conference "Catholicity of the Church: Theological, Canonical and Historical Dimensions". “Today we can say openly that we are on the verge of a major split because of the situation in Ukraine as a result of those illegal, anti-canonical actions committed by Patriarch Bartholomew in relation to the Ukrainian schismatics. Therefore, the Orthodox Church is looking for a way out to prevent the ‘crossing of the Rubicon’ and a huge split."

The Church is looking for answers in its history, the hierarch explained.

He said that representatives of eleven Local Churches took part in the Scientific Forum, which took place at KDAiS. The reports had to do with historical analysis: what were the precedents for schisms, how schismatics were accepted into Eucharistic communion in the Orthodox Church, as well as the canonical foundations, which are the pillars of the Church and which were violated by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople through the granting of the so-called tomos to the breakaway groups.

Earlier, the UOC Chancellor explained that the Local Churches can be divided into those who remain faithful to Orthodoxy and those who are part of the Church's simulacrum.

The UOJ also wrote that, in the opinion of Metropolitan Anthony, the crisis in World Orthodoxy can be overcome by convening a Pan-Orthodox Council, which is opposed by Phanar.

Read also