While Metropolitan Epiphanius of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine is in Phanar for the celebration of the name day of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Ukraine, the “Honorable” Patriarch Filaret decided to convene an informal Synod.
In particular, according to BBC.com.ukrainian, Filaret told reporters that he would convene a Local Council on June 20 to cancel decisions of the United Synod, which took place on December 15, 2018 in Kiev.
His statements were made on the sidelines of a forum entitled “For the Ukrainian Orthodox Church! For the Kiev Patriarchate”. He stressed, inter alia, that “we will prove that the Patriarchate of Kiev was, is and will be alive”.
Furthermore, during today’s forum, the participants decided to address President Volodymyr Zelensky asking for “the support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Kiev from any attack”.
“Epiphanius is a servant of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and this was shown by the ordination of the Greek Assistant Bishop. The Bishop will transfer orders from the Patriarchate, but will also inform the latter about the internal situation of Ukraine, “said Filaret.
