Ukrainians reject transition to OCU, says Romanian Church

Parishioners of the UOC after reclaiming the cathedral in Chernivtsi from the OCU invaders. Photo: UOJ

The Romanian Orthodox Church, responding to the appeal of the Ukrainian ambassador Ihor Prokopchuk to recognize the OCU, which he voiced after this structure attempted to seize the UOC cathedral in Chernivtsi, stated that Ukrainians firmly reject the possibility of joining Dumenko's structure. This was reported by the Romanian publication Stiripesurse.

The Romanian Patriarchate emphasized that "discussions with Romanian Orthodox clergy and laity in Ukraine showed that most of them firmly, even with fear, reject the possible transition to the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine."

The Romanian Orthodox Church highlighted the hostile attitude of the Ukrainian state towards Romanian believers in Ukraine through the non-compliance with the rights to practice their faith.

As reported by the UOJ, the Patriarchate highlighted that regarding the church situation in Ukraine, the point of view of the Romanian Orthodox Church remains that formulated by the Holy Synod in its working session held on February 21, 2019, namely: "For almost 30 years, the problem of the schism in Ukraine has not been resolved, nor has there been an appeal for pan-Orthodox mediation, as was done in the case of the schism in Bulgaria." The Patriarchate also noted that the Synod's decision included a call for convening a pan-Orthodox council if the formation of the OCU does not resolve the Ukrainian issue.

Read also

Serbian Patriarch offers condolences over murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church called Sviatohirsk Lavra a refuge for the displaced and urged that the monk’s violent death not be turned into anyone’s weapon.

“Never seen before”: Israel reports record number of Hasidim in Uman

According to an Israeli police representative, 52,000 pilgrims are currently in Uman – 10,000 more than last year. The city itself has a population of about 75,000.

UOC faithful hold prayer vigil outside Lavra for more than 1,000 days

For three and a half years, Orthodox Christians have continued praying for peace and for the preservation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Zelensky congratulates Jews on Rosh Hashanah

Volodymyr Zelensky wished Jews peace and the triumph of good over evil.

Kyiv Theological Academy publishes book on Orthodoxy in 17th-century Ukraine

With the blessing of the UOC Primate, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary has published a textbook marking the 430th anniversary of the birth of St. Petro Mohyla.

45,000 Hasidic pilgrims arrive in Uman

Around 45,000 Hasidic pilgrims have already arrived in Ukraine for Rosh Hashanah.