UOC lawyer calls on bishops and faithful not to seek reasons for division

UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: Chekman's Facebook

UOC lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman has appealed to archpastors, clergy, and laity, urging them to preserve Church unity and refrain from mutual accusations. He wrote this on his Telegram channel on June 29, 2026.

The priest recalled that in recent years the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been going through severe trials. He noted that the Lord has helped form a team of experienced attorneys and lawyers who daily defend the legal rights of religious communities, monasteries, clergy, and faithful, “regardless of personal convictions, when it comes to protecting legal rights.”

The lawyer added that different views on particular issues may exist among clergy and laity, but unity with Christ and His Holy Church must remain the most important thing for Orthodox Christians.

“Any internal conflicts only weaken us and bring joy to those who wish evil upon our Church,” Chekman noted.

In his conviction, “today, when our Church is going through difficult times, mutual love, humility, and unity are needed more than ever.”

In this connection, the lawyer addressed all members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church:

“I sincerely ask everyone – the archpastors, clergy, monastics, and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – to be restrained in their words, to respect the Church hierarchy, not to insult one another, not to multiply discord, to find the strength within themselves to apologize and sincerely forgive. Not to look for reasons for division, but to seek Christ.”

As the UOJ reported, the Odesa Eparchy earlier decided to bar human rights advocate Victoria Kokhanovska from Church communion and Holy Communion.

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