Kryvyi Rih Eparchy responds to photo of its hierarch in ROC calendar

Metropolitan Yefrem of Kryvyi Rih and Nikopol. Photo: Kryvyi Rih Eparchy

The Kryvyi Rih Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has issued an official statement regarding the inclusion of Metropolitan Yefrem of Kryvyi Rih and Nikopol in the patriarchal calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

In its statement, the eparchy highlights that, according to its officially registered Statute, the Kryvyi Rih Diocese is part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and, in its internal activities, follows the UOC Statute on governance, as well as the decisions of its Council and Holy Synod.

"Based on the provisions of the Statutes, we affirm that the ruling bishop of the Kryvyi Rih Eparchy, Metropolitan Yefrem of Kryvyi Rih and Nikopol, has no connection to the actions of the ROC," the statement reads.

It is also noted that the Metropolitan did not give consent for the publication of any information about him or the Kryvyi Rih Eparchy in the official informational sources of the ROC.

"The publication of the Kryvyi Rih Archpastor’s photograph and any other information in the publications of other religious structures is considered unacceptable and manipulative, aimed at destabilizing the situation within Ukraine, and violating public and ecclesiastical peace within our state," the Kryvyi Rih Eparchy concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Metropolitan of Kamianske also commented on the publication of his photo in the ROC calendar.

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