UOC-KP: Ukrainian communities in Europe don’t recognise Phanar’s authority

Ukrainians who were forced to leave the country and seek asylum in Europe do not recognize the supremacy of the Constantinople Patriarchate over them, the Secretary of the Vicariate in the USA and Canada of the liquidated UOC-KP, "Bishop" Bohdan Zgoba of Philadelphia wrote on his Facebook page.

In his opinion, the non-recognition of the Phanar by Ukrainians is due to the fact that "this connection has a superficial, formal character and does not correspond to their religious beliefs and the way of communication with the Orthodox Church".

Zgoba also believes that the issue of the Ukrainian diaspora cannot be entrusted to "incompetent institutions and unreliable leaders who refuse to defend the interests of the Ukrainian people abroad".

He noted that UOC-KP head Filaret Denisenko was attacked by the Constantinople Patriarchate because of the latter's desire to attract more Ukrainian supporters.

As reported, the Phanar has transferred Filaret's parishes in Australia to its structure.

Read also

Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church

According to the Minister of Culture, authorities plan to seize 800 churches from the Moldovan Church, but they lack the capability to manage them.

Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv

The appellate court declared invalid the re-registration of the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv.

2,800-year-old seal with biblical symbols found in Israel

Israeli archaeologists have found a stone seal from the era of Judean kings with an inscription in ancient Hebrew.

Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons

The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.

UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary

Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon

Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.