The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, meeting today, expressed disappointment over the lack of response from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to its call for dialogue. However, it affirmed its continued hope for “a constructive response from both Metropolitan Onufriy and the representatives of his jurisdiction” in engaging with this appeal for unity.
During the Synod meeting, letters exchanged between Metropolitan Epiphaniy and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew were read. These letters addressed the August visit of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s delegation to Kyiv and were also discussed at a recent session of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar, as previously reported by orthodoxtimes.com.
The Synod also examined the ongoing issue with the Romanian Orthodox Church, highlighting Bucharest’s dissatisfaction over the “unjustified delay in the legal recognition of the association ‘Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine.'”
The Synod in Kyiv underscored that the establishment of Orthodox ecclesiastical structures within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, without the approval of the OCU’s Primate and Synod, and with disregard for the canonical authority of the Primate, constitutes a violation of canonical order and contradicts the Tomos of Autocephaly. This issue, they emphasized, holds secular and international implications, as it affects Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Additionally, the Synod noted that “other Orthodox Churches, when caring for Orthodox believers of their ethnic origin residing in Romania, do not act independently or unilaterally but in accordance with canonical order, agreements, and arrangements reached with the Romanian Orthodox Church.” This approach underscores the expectation of mutual respect and adherence to established protocols within the Orthodox community.
Read the Holy Synod’s announcement below:
The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine convened on November 7, 2024, in Kyiv’s Synod Hall at St. Michael’s Cathedral, with all members in attendance.
Metropolitan Epiphaniy presented a report detailing the OCU delegation’s visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate on August 13, 2024, where they met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The Synod also reviewed a subsequent visit by an Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation to Kyiv from August 21-29, 2024. Letters from both Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Epiphaniy concerning these visits were read. The Synod expressed deep gratitude for Patriarch Bartholomew’s warm reception and underscored the importance of maintaining close relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in line with the Tomos of Autocephaly, based on canonical order, trust, and respect.
The Synod expressed full support for Metropolitan Epiphaniy’s August 15 appeal to Metropolitan Onufriy and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), urging dialogue to achieve ecclesiastical unity in Ukraine. Disappointed by the lack of response from the UOC, the Synod cited scripture, comparing the silence to “playing the pipe, but you did not dance.” Despite this, the Synod remains hopeful for a constructive reply from Metropolitan Onufriy.
The Synod also addressed the Romanian Orthodox Church’s recent announcement to establish a jurisdictional structure in Ukraine. Reaffirming previous decisions, the Synod stated that all Orthodox structures within Ukraine’s recognized borders should operate within the OCU, per canonical order and the Tomos. Creating structures without OCU consent, it said, is a violation of canonical norms and challenges Ukraine’s sovereignty. The Synod emphasized that the OCU seeks collaboration with the Romanian Church for pastoral care of Orthodox Romanians in Ukraine, as established for Ukrainians in Romania.
Protopresbyter Oleksandr Trofimlyuk reported on the Kyiv Theological Academy’s September visit to Athens, for which the Synod expressed deep appreciation to Archbishop Ieronymos and the Church of Greece for their support. Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva reported on his participation in international conferences in Berlin and Crete, held with Metropolitan Epiphaniy’s blessing, to address religious freedom and interfaith dialogue.
To address recent controversy over the depiction of living figures in the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s frescoes in Lutsk, the Synod established a committee, chaired by Metropolitan Demetrios of Lviv, to investigate and report on the issue.
In recognition of his sanctity, Archimandrite Yelysei (Pletenetskyi) of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was canonized, with October 29 designated as his feast day.
The Synod also approved the use of festive antiphons for liturgical services and issued a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Makarios of Lviv on his 80th birthday.
The Holy Synod unanimously approved all decisions, concluding the session.
Photos: posmina.info
