By Kostas Onisenko
Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine considers that some more local Churches are on the way to the recognition of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Speaking on a Ukrainian TV channel, Metropolitan Epifaniy said that there were other Churches that were ready to follow the path of the Church of Cyprus, referring primarily to the Georgian Orthodox Church but also to the Churches of Jerusalem, Romania and Bulgaria.
“In general, there are some local Orthodox Churches, in which the majority of the clergy and the primate are practically ready for the recognition of our autocephaly. One of them is the Georgian Orthodox Church, in which there is a majority (editor’s note: majority that agrees with the recognition),” said the primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Citing the example of Cyprus, Metropolitan Epifaniy said: “A similar process is followed in the local Orthodox Churches when there are some priests who disagree (editor’s note: with the recognition). We see it with the example of the Church of Cyprus: Two or three disagree but the majority agrees.
The Church of Cyprus has set an example to other Churches in how they can move towards the recognition of autocephaly.
The primate commemorates the primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and then the relevant decision is made at the Synod by a simple majority.
That is why I am convinced that other Orthodox Churches will follow this path. It is also the Church of Jerusalem, of Romania, of Albania and of Bulgaria. Now it is difficult to say as the Church of Cyprus was ready earlier (editor’s note: to recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine) but preferred to keep a neutral position as it was watching the development and establishment of the Church.
And in communication with him (Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus), he confirmed it to me: We waited and watched the establishment of the Church (the Orthodox Church of Ukraine), and that is why we made the relevant decision,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy.
