His Beatitude: The Feofania Council saved our Church from militarization

Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC press service

On May 27, 2026, during the Divine Liturgy at the Panteleimon Convent in Feofania, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry addressed the clergy and faithful on the fourth anniversary of the UOC’s Feofania Council.

The Primate noted that the present celebration also coincides with another anniversary – the 34th anniversary of the 1992 Kharkiv Bishops’ Council. According to His Beatitude, both councils accomplished one essential deed: they preserved the Ukrainian Orthodox Church within the embrace of divine love.

Speaking about the significance of the Feofania Council, the Primate emphasized its role in resisting attempts to use the Church for political purposes.

“The Council preserved the Church from militarization, from becoming an instrument of propaganda for military aggression. We chose the path of peace, the path the Church must follow. For our God is not a God of war, but a God of peace and all good order,” His Beatitude said.

He stressed in particular that “our Church is a Church of love.”

“And the Feofania Council chose precisely this path – the path of preserving faithfulness and love for God, our Creator and Maker, and love for people as bearers of the divine image,” the Primate said.

Commenting on the Council’s decisions, His Beatitude emphasized that “we went toward God, while those who approved of war, who approve of war and wage war against us, separated themselves from us and chose the path of malice.”

“We walk the path of God and harbor no evil toward anyone, not even toward our enemies. According to the commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the founder and head of our Church, we love everyone, even our enemies. Love for enemies does not mean approval of their deeds, as some think. Love for enemies is a powerful call to their repentance,” Metropolitan Onuphry said.

In conclusion, the Primate called on the faithful to pray for all – for those who preserve the purity of faith, for those who have gone astray, and for those who do not know God – and wished peace for the country: “May the Lord strengthen us in the labor of love and purity of faith, and bless our land with peace.”

As a reminder, the UOC Council in Feofania declared the Church’s full independence.

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