Met Varsonofiy: Spirit of brotherhood and prayer reigned at Feofania Council

Metropolitan Varsonofiy of Vinnytsia and Bar. Photo: UOC

Metropolitan Varsonofiy of Vinnytsia and Bar on his Facebook page refuted statements circulating in the information space about the allegedly "non-voluntary" nature of the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which took place on May 27, 2022, at the Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania.

"As a bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a direct participant in this event, I consider it my duty to testify: all talks about the Council being held under pressure or control of special services are false and have no real basis," emphasized Bishop Varsonofiy.

According to him, the meetings were held "in a calm, brotherly, and prayerful atmosphere," where bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity freely expressed their thoughts, debated, made proposals, and amendments. "No one forced anyone to take certain positions or vote in a certain way," noted the bishop.

Metropolitan Varsonofiy also emphasized that he had not heard any hints of interference from state authorities. “Everything that took place was solely an internal matter of the Church. Decisions were made collectively, after discussion and prayer,” said the bishop.

He reminded that the delegates to the Council were elected by members of the eparchial councils, and the candidates were nominated by the clergy themselves. “Our delegates from the eparchy also confirm: the Council was marked by a spirit of responsibility, peace, and a sincere desire to preserve the unity of Christ’s Church,” Metropolitan Varsonofiy emphasized.

In conclusion, Bishop Varsonofiy noted that the Council in Feofania "was and remains a testimony of living church unity, free and collegial spirit, and sincere aspiration of all of us to preserve faith, peace, and love in Christ".

It can be assumed that Metropolitan Yevlohiy's statement is related to an interview with Cherkasy Metropolitan Theodosiy, in which the latter stated that the UOC Council in Feofania was "not free".

According to him, several hierarchs were told by people in uniform: "If you don't make any decisions in Feofania when you go there, you may not return to the eparchy."

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