A UOC Priest Called on Hierarchs to End the Confrontation
Archpriest Igor Ryabko believes that both sides have reached such a degree of estrangement that dialogue without a mediator is no longer possible.
A cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Igor Ryabko, has appealed to hierarchs and believers with a call to end the public confrontation between supporters and opponents of the commemoration of the patriarch, as well as of the autocephaly of the UOC. The appeal was published on the priest's Facebook page.
According to Archpriest Igor, both sides have reached such a degree of estrangement that a calm, constructive dialogue without outside assistance is nearly impossible. Mutual reproaches, barbs, and mockery between hierarchs are eagerly picked up by religious-political channels and bloggers, which only aggravates the situation.
The priest emphasized that each side has a sincere desire for the good of the Church, and that the differences concern only the understanding of the historical path of the UOC today. He proposed holding open and private meetings, consistently presenting the position of each side, and seeking a solution in line with canonical tradition.
"All that is needed is a normal, benevolent, calm, sober discussion of this issue. And that 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 in the horizontal, juridical dimension, but also in the ontological vertical, delving into their essence and soteriological meaning," the priest stated.
In the second part of the appeal, Fr. Igor called on ordinary believers to focus on personal salvation rather than on ecclesiastical-political disputes. "Let the hierarchs sort out how and where the church ship should sail today," the priest emphasized. He reminded parishioners not to judge others, to pray for the reconciliation of those at odds, and to remember that belonging to the true Church does not guarantee salvation without personal prayer and faith "in spirit and in truth."
Previously, the SPJ analyzed the polemic among UOC hierarchs regarding autocephaly and the Council at Feofaniya.
