Hierarchs of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Not Unaniomous About Unification with Kyivan Patriarchate

On 18 October, in Ternopil, a non-regular session of the hierarchical council of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church was held. The participants discussed one question, namely, the possibility of unification with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate.

On 14 October, during a closed meeting, the heads of those churches agreed to set up committees to conduct negotiations regarding the establishment of one unified church.

At the same time, the press-secretary of UAOC, Protopriest Yevhen Zapletniuk said that the atmosphere at the council was not so optimistic. According to him, the hierarchs of UOC-KP “lost the credit” of representatives of UAOC. “It is difficult for us to talk about unification. We have no grounds to trust those people. After the establishment of the committee and first negotiations, it became clear at once that the dialogue is at a deadlock,” said Protopriest Yevhen Zaplatniuk in a commentary to the edition “Ъ.”

According to him, most of all, the hierarchs of UAOC were displeased with the wish of UOC-KP to establish one unified Church without the participation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, which was called the “key” church in the Ukrainian Orthodoxy by the protopriest. In addition, the hierarchs of UAOC are afraid that UAOC “will simply have to join UOC-KP.” “It definitely does not suit us,” said the protopriest.

Representatives of UOC-KP were surprised to hear the details about the council. “Perhaps, this is a private opinion of some hierarchs, for there exists a committee on negotiations and its meeting will soon be held,” said in a commentary to the edition “Ъ” the Secretary of the Holy Synod of UOC-KP, Bishop Yevstratii (Zoria). According to him, UAOC has both supporters and opponents of the unification with UOC-KP whose opinions differ. “But, on the whole, any negotiations envisage closed personal communication and not the ultimate public statements like these. Actually, it is a demarche,” said the bishop in the commentary and stressed that “UOC-KP does drag anyone anywhere by force.”

Representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate remain indifferent to the conflict, reported Commersant.