LAST UPDATE 17:04
The Autocephalous Church of Ukraine issued a decree, which specifies, inter alia, issues related to the conflict of Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev and “Honorary” Patriarch Filaret.
In particular, the decree clarifies that the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate on December 15, 2018, decided the dissolution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate, the dissolution of the Patriarchate of Kiev, and the establishment of the Metropolis of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Moreover, during the Unification Council, it was decided the cessation of activity of all the bodies of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Kiev.
As stated by Metropolitan Epiphanius’ decree, during the Unification Council, it was decided that all the bishops of the then Ukrainian Church would adhere to the new Autocephalous Church of Ukraine.
Furthermore, the Synod decided that Filaret would continue to shepherd the Metropolis of Kiev, consisting of parishes and monasteries in the city of Kiev (except the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kiev). Four months later, as stressed in the decree, the Metropolis is not legally registered.
Therefore, Metropolitan Epiphanius states that in order to prevent further violations of the canons and the Charter of the Church, “until the full implementation of the decisions of the Holy Synod of February 5, 2019 and May 24, 2019, for the registration in Kiev of the Metropolis, belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Community of Intercession of the Theotokos in the Solomyanskiy district of Kiev will be under the direct subordination of the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine.
He also decided that all documents issued on behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Kiev after 30 January 2019 are null and void, and are not enforceable in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine).
Filaret to Epiphanius: You should adhere to the bishop’s oath that you have taken
The so-called “Honorary” Patriarch Filaret of Kiev responded immediately to the decree issued by the head of the Autocephalous Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphanius.
Regarding the decision of Epiphanius to withdraw from his jurisdiction the Church of Intercession of the Theotokos in the Solomyanskiy district of Kiev, “Honorary” Patriarch Filaret pointed out that, if the parish was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Autocephalous Church, that had been done without my consent, as the ruling Bishop, which means that the canonical order has been violated.”
He called Metropolitan Epiphanius to “adhere to the canonical order and the bishop’s oath that you have taken during the ordination. We, the Archpriests, should be guided by the canons of the Church and not violate them in the administration of a Metropolis.”
