Ukrainian faithful from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), led by Metropolitan Onufriy, have formally requested confirmation of their separation from the Russian Orthodox Church.
According to Ukrainian media reports, members of this Church have appealed to Metropolitan Onufriy to publish official documents verifying their departure from the Moscow Patriarchate.
The request emphasizes the need for Metropolitan Onufriy to respond to the Ukrainian authorities’ request from August 22 and to release official letters sent to the Russian Orthodox Church that prove the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s disassociation. The faithful also urge that this decision be communicated to the Local Churches.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church had announced its intention to separate from the Russian Orthodox Church in the spring of 2022. Authorities and Ukrainian society have been calling for the UOC to formalize this decision through official correspondence. The request highlights that such a step would help prevent the closure of parishes and the seizure of places of worship and churches belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
In their letter, the faithful urge Metropolitan Onufriy, “Your Beatitude, do not leave us alone in this difficult situation. We all pray to God for the preservation of our Church, but specific actions are also needed to protect it.”
This appeal underscores the pressing need for clarity and formal recognition of the Church’s new status to ensure its protection and continued existence in Ukraine.
