Chancellor to Serbian media: “Voluntary transfers” of churches to OCU are a lie

Metropolitan Anthony. Photo: Metropolitan's Facebook page

The Chancellor of the UOC, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), said in an interview with the Serbian portal Život Crkve that the so-called voluntary transfers of parishes to the OCU are nothing more than the result of the secret re-registration of churches and other church property to another denomination – after which the “new owners” simply confront the priests with a fait accompli.

According to the hierarch, despite the obvious unconstitutionality and conflict with international law, the topic of a possible ban on the UOC remains on the agenda. Three court hearings have already taken place in the relevant case, and the next one is scheduled for February 24, 2026. Concurrently, attempts are being recorded in the regions to restrict the Church’s activity at the local level and to transfer its churches and monasteries to another denomination.

Metropolitan Anthony emphasized that now they often do not even stage community meetings. Churches and church property are secretly re-registered to the OCU, after which UOC representatives are simply informed that they are no longer the “owners.” The implementation of such decisions, he said, is ensured by state security forces. This is precisely how the appearance of “voluntary transfers” is created – the kind publicly claimed by OCU representatives.

At the same time, the hierarch recalled that the Church is not identified with property and buildings. Even when deprived of churches, the faithful and clergy remain loyal to the UOC and continue liturgical life in adapted premises. Seized churches, as a rule, stand empty.

Speaking about the reaction of the Constantinople Patriarchate, the Chancellor of the UOC noted that there is no known official and unambiguous statement from the Phanar condemning the violent seizures of churches, the beatings of believers, and attacks on clergy. This silence, he said, is perceived by the faithful as extremely painful and deeply scandalizing.

As the UOJ previously reported, Metropolitan Anthony said that Patriarch Bartholomew bears a very large share of responsibility for the persecutions against the UOC.

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