Majority of UOC (MP) faithful to change affiliation for the canonical local UOC

At one time, the UOC's separation from the Patriarchate Constantinople proceeded in a non-canonical way. Therefore, now we are trying to remedy the situation and bring it in line with the norms of universal Orthodoxy.

Historian and political expert Oleksandr Paliy commented for Radio Liberty on the appeal of President Poroshenko and the hierarchs of the UOC-KP and UAOC to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with a request to make a decision regarding the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

“We now have a historic chance. And the decision can be of colossal historical weight! Let me remind that the Kyiv Metropolis was founded in 988, and the Moscow Metropolis - in 1448. 460 years make difference!” he said.

The historian noted that almost every visit of our president to Istanbul was accompanied by negotiations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

“Any move by politicians a priori is connected with PR and some sort of positioning. But now it is about a much more fundamental event that can affect the future generations, not the elections. Poroshenko is a competent person to understand the enormous importance of this solution if implemented. We will considerably strengthen national unity. I think that a large number of dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate will immediately separate and change their affiliation for the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” the expert noted.

“There are church canons, which were developed during the fourth century and later, according to which the separation of the UOC from the Constantinople Patriarchate for a bribe – for 120 pieces of sable skins and 200 ten-rouble coins was indeed non-canonical. Perhaps now we are turning the situation back to a canonical norm, in line with the norms of universal Orthodoxy,” said Oleksandr Paliy.