“Patriarch” Nikodym establishes UOC-KP eparchy in Philippines
“Metropolitan” Simeon appointed head of the UOC-KP’s Philippine Eparchy. Photo: patriarhat.info
Nikodym Kobzar, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), has signed a decree admitting “Metropolitan” Simeon (Cruz Rogelio Ellano) into his organization and establishing a UOC-KP eparchy in the Philippines.
Under Decree No. 98, dated October 15, 2026, the Kyiv Patriarchate accepted the “bishop” along with the Monastery of St. Benedict, the Jesus the Good Shepherd community, and other clergy. The head of the newly established eparchy was given the title “Metropolitan of Manila and All the Philippine Lands.”
Taking local traditions into account, the UOC-KP head also authorized religious communities in the Philippines to conduct “services” according to both the Byzantine and Western (Latin) rites.
As the UOJ previously reported, the UOC-KP established a “representation” in Georgia.
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