“To prevent bloodshed”: Priest explains why he joined the OCU

Almost no parishioners attended the “thanksgiving moleben” in Kamenna. Photo: Hryshchuk’s Facebook

During a “thanksgiving moleben” in the village of Kamenna, Chernivtsi region, Orest Drahinda, rector of the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, explained what motivated him to join the OCU. A video of his speech was posted on Facebook by Roman Hryshchuk.

In his address, Drahinda recalled Christ’s words: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). According to him, the violent conflicts occurring around UOC churches in Ukraine today are contrary to these words. He therefore sought a way to avoid such outcomes.

“Observing what is happening in our society, especially what is happening all too often between Orthodox Christians – beatings, bloodshed – and reflecting on it, understanding that all this is contrary to the Gospel of Christ, to His teaching, I made the decision to do what I did. Together with some of my parishioners who responded as well,” Drahinda stated.

Judging by the photos from the OCU’s “thanksgiving moleben,” there were no more than a dozen parishioners present.

Drahinda also recalled other words of Christ, in which He prays to the Father that all may be one. He expressed hope that his “betrayal” might serve as an example showing that “the barriers that exist between us – Orthodox clergy and ordinary people in Ukrainian society – are purely earthly in nature.”

“We must look to the Gospel of Christ and overcome those obstacles and misunderstandings, remembering God’s commandment and placing it at the forefront,” Drahinda concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that during the same moleben in Kamenna, OCU raider Roman Hryshchuk unexpectedly declared that Seraphim of Sarov is “our Ukrainian saint.”

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