MFA declares OCU "service" in Kenya "historic moment captured on camera"

The OCU at a "service" in Kenya. Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in Kenya

The Embassy of Ukraine in Kenya published footage of the "service" conducted by OCU spokesman Yevstratiy Zoria at one of the churches in Nairobi and described the footage as "historic."

"Historical moment captured on camera: for the first time Ukrainian hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the priests of Nairobi diocese of Holy Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa held the joint liturgy at the Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Nairobi," reads the Embassy's Facebook post.

The publication sparked lively discussion. The majority of commenters call Zoria a schismatic and claim he deserves anathema.

"Schismatics infecting Orthodoxy," writes Gus Langis. David Merabishvili claims that "the OCU has occupied Africa."

Mark of Ephesus invokes Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine: "Is the Ukrainian state not separated from the Church? Or is this Church part of the state?"

However, there are also comments in support of the OCU.

"This signifies the expansion of the OCU's ties and the establishment of cooperation with other Orthodox Churches. The Alexandrian Patriarchate was founded by the Apostle Mark as early as 42 AD – it is one of the most respected and influential Churches, and cooperation with it represents recognition and support for the OCU," believes Dmytro Demshin.

The UOJ previously reported that in 2015, Yevstratiy Zorya accused Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria of being "bought" by Moscow, describing his statements in support of the UOC at the time as "Alexandrian paid PR": "Once upon a time, Moscow bought the Kyiv Metropolitanate for 120 sable furs and 200 gold coins. Now it buys statements of support for vestments (instead of sables). How many gold coins were spent – perhaps history will one day tell that too... So I don't know about others, but for me such a bought opinion is not only worthless, but on the contrary — it confirms the wrongness of those in whose favor this VIP 'paid PR' sounds."

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