Zoria: UOC communities blocked from joining OCU by pro-Russian authorities

Ivan (Yevstratiy) Zoria. Photo: Viche YouTube channel

In an interview with blogger Ilona Sokolovska, Yevstratiy Zoria said that many in the UOC are ready to unite with the OCU, yet various obstacles stand in their way.

When asked whether he sees any format for dialogue with the UOC, Zoria replied that the OCU is “ready to discuss any issues, any topics, everything that needs to be discussed – including matters related to the Tomos.”

“We are ready to discuss everything, without any restrictions. The only thing that cannot be up for discussion is the renunciation of autocephaly or of the Tomos,” Zoria stated.

According to him, “now that we have the Tomos and autocephaly, let us talk about how, on the basis of this canonical reality, when there are two churches, we can move toward ecclesial unity and peace. That is the position of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”

He said that “literally every month or two,” Epifaniy Dumenko meets with UOC clergy who wish to join the OCU but are unable to do so.

Listing the reasons, Zoria cited opposition from parishioners, priests’ families, and even local authorities: “Local authorities that are pro-Russian are pressuring us and not allowing us to transfer,” he quoted one of the supposed visitors as saying.

Zoria did not specify in which region of Ukraine these “pro-Russian authorities” are operating or why they have not been held accountable.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zoria had explained why OCU churches remain empty.

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