UOC priest calls on hierarchs to end confrontation

Archpriest Ihor Riabko. Photo: priest’s Facebook page

Ukrainian Orthodox Church cleric Archpriest Ihor Riabko has appealed to hierarchs and believers to stop the public confrontation between supporters and opponents of commemorating the Patriarch, as well as of UOC autocephaly. The appeal was published on the priest’s Facebook page.

According to Archpriest Ihor, both sides have reached such a level of estrangement that calm, constructive dialogue is almost impossible without outside help. Mutual reproaches, barbs and mockery between hierarchs are eagerly picked up by religious-political channels and bloggers, which only worsens the situation.

The priest stressed that each side has a sincere desire for the good of the Church, while the disagreements concern only the understanding of the UOC’s historical path today. He proposed holding open and personal meetings, consistently setting out each side’s position, and seeking a solution within the framework of canonical tradition.

“All that is needed is a normal, kindly, calm and sober discussion of this issue. And this is far better than all these public scandals, attacks and disputes. And what is important – this is already my personal opinion – it is important to consider the canons not only on the horizontal, juridical plane, but also in the ontological vertical, delving into their essence and soteriological meaning,” the priest said.

In the second part of his appeal, Fr. Ihor urged ordinary believers to focus on personal salvation rather than church-political disputes. “Let the hierarchs sort out how and where the church ship should sail today,” the priest stressed. He reminded parishioners not to judge others, to pray for the reconciliation of those at enmity, and to remember that belonging to the true Church does not guarantee salvation without personal prayer and faith “in spirit and truth.”

Earlier, the UOJ analyzed the polemic among UOC hierarchs over autocephaly and the Council in Feofania.

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