UOC-KP Primate: Ecumenical Patriarch can issue the Tomos without consent of other Orthodox Churches

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will grant the Tomos of autocephaly to Ukraine when all Local Churches will be informed of such a decision. This was stated by Filaret, Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate.

“A special commission was created consisting of three metropolitans of the Patriarchate of Constantinople which visits all the Local Churches. It is important to understand that they do not ask for consent to grant the Tomos, but simply inform about the corresponding intention of Constantinople,” Filaret specified.

He also noted: the Ecumenical Patriarch himself can provide the Tomos without any prior consent of the other Orthodox Churches.

“Since the delegation has not yet visited all the Local Churches, the announcement of the decision on the Tomos is a bit delayed. According to the procedure, following the tour, the delegation should prepare a report to be considered at the Synod meeting where the decision will already be adopted,” the Head of the UOC-KP explained.

Patriarch Filaret also said, “According to the information that is now available to us, the Tomos will be provided this year, there is no exact date when, but this year for sure.”

At the same time, he is convinced that granting the Tomos is not the end of the story as far as the unification processes in the new Ukrainian Church are concerned. “On the contrary, everything will only start,” says Filaret.

When asked who could preside over the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church, he replied, “I do not see any other hierarchs who could manage the process, taking over this cross.”