OCU calls on its pilgrims to criticize Metropolitan of Corfu

Metropolitan Nectarios of Kerkyra. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Representatives of the Volyn Eparchy of the OCU called on Ukrainian pilgrims to publicly criticize Metropolitan Nectarios of Kerkyra during their trips to Greece. The eparchy leadership published an official statement to the faithful following the Greek hierarch's visit to Russia.

Metropolitan Nectarios of Kerkyra, Paxoi and the Diapontian Islands brought the right hand of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous to Moscow on August 17, 2026. Patriarch Kirill solemnly received the shrine for its subsequent journey through 13 cities of the country.

On August 21, 2026, the Volyn Eparchy of the OCU issued a condemnation of the Greek archpastor's actions. They expressed outrage that Metropolitan Nectarios brought the right hand of the saint to Moscow precisely during a period of daily missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

In the opinion of representatives of the Volyn Eparchy of the OCU, bringing the relics of the wonderworker of peace and mercy to a country where the church authorities bless violence appears as a public demonstration of solidarity with killers.

The schismatics called Metropolitan Nectarios's act inappropriate, painful and spiritually harmful because of the blood shed in the military conflict. According to the OCU's statement, this decision inflicts a grave wound on the church conscience and places a Christian shrine in the service of propaganda instead of strengthening the unity of Christ's Church.

The OCU also complained that Metropolitan Nectarios has for many years openly supported the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and completely ignores the existence of the OCU, despite its recognition by the Greek Orthodox Church.

"Every pilgrim must speak to the pastors on Corfu about the pain of Ukrainian Christians," stated representatives of the Volyn Eparchy of the OCU. "Love for the truth requires us not to be silent spectators of someone else's political game." 

The OCU called on Ukrainian pilgrims not to remain silent during their visits to the island of Corfu. In their view, the faithful must openly speak to the Greek clergy about the pain of the Ukrainian people and about their rejection of the actions of Metropolitan Nectarios, who "serves not the unity of Christ's Church, but the political propaganda of the aggressor."

Along with the accusations, representatives of the eparchy invited Metropolitan Nectarios to Ukraine and Volyn, in particular. They propose that the Greek bishop personally hold meetings with the families of the fallen and offer a prayer for peace. In the opinion of the authors of the appeal, this will help the Metropolitan hear the voice of Ukrainian believers instead of "Russian Church propaganda."

Previously, the UOJJ reported that in Moscow, Patriarch Kirill awarded an order to a hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church.

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