UOC-KP head: Lotysh demands participation of Phanar bishops for ordination
Ordination of Avraamiy Lotysh. Photo: OCU
The head of the UOC-KP "Patriarch" Nikodym in an interview with the YouTube channel "NTP" reported on the hidden conditions of Avraamy Lotysh regarding his own ordination. According to Nikodym, the former monk of the Kyiv Caves Lavra hesitated for a long time before making this step and put forward a demand to the OCU regarding his future ordination.
"Lotysh is the only one who transferred from the Lavra... He hesitated for a very long time, for a very long time," said the head of the UOC-KP. As a mandatory condition to be ordained as "bishop," Avraamy demanded the participation of at least two hierarchs of the Constantinople Patriarchate in the process. Lotysh sought to obtain additional "canonical guarantees" as he doubted the recognition of the procedures offered by the OCU.
Nikodym emphasized that ultimately the OCU leadership fulfilled this condition. Representatives of the Phanar participated in Lotysh's ordination, in particlular Metropolitan Emmanuel and Bishop Michael of Komana. The head of the Kyiv Patriarchate believes that such a position clearly demonstrates the internal uncertainty of OCU hierarchs in their own legitimacy.
As reported by the UOJ, earlier Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany stated that a layman stands at the head of the OCU, having neither priestly nor episcopal ordination. Avraamy's desire to obtain external "canonical guarantees" from Constantinople resonates with Metropolitan Mark's position. Thus, even those who decide to transfer to Dumenko's structure realize the truth of the words about the invalidity of local "ordinations" and try to legitimize their status through direct intervention of Greek hierarchs.
Read also
UOC delegation meets with Patriarch Shio in Georgia
Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III received a delegation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the Georgian Patriarchate.
UOC marks Synaxis of Poltava Saints
Metropolitan Philip celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Horbanivka Monastery in Poltava on the feast of the Synaxis of the Saints of Poltava.
Rector of UOC church in Kramatorsk sent for second military medical exam
Lawyers have secured a second military medical examination for Archpriest Oleg Kruchinin, who was unlawfully detained by TRC officers.
Jews, Muslims, Catholics, and OCU pray together at St. Sophia Cathedral
Representatives of Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, and OCU communities held an ecumenical prayer service for Ukraine in Kyiv.
Horbanivka Theootokos Icon honored at Poltava Eparchy monastery
Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Myrhorod led a festal service at the Horbanivka Convent.
Greek hierarch: Clergy should use social media to bring people to Church
The Church of Greece hierarch stressed that while the internet and YouTube can be useful, they cannot replace in-person participation in church life.