Primate of newly-created Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be elected after Tomos bestowal

The Holy Synod of the Constantinople Patriarchate is set to discuss the Ukrainian issue in September, according to Oleksandr Sagan, a  Ukrainian religion expert. 

“According to the official statement of Patriarch Bartholomew, at the Synod scheduled for early September, they are planning to talk about the Mother Church. This formulation is most often used in relation to the Kyiv Metropolis, after which there should be a vote for the Tomos for Ukraine. We have every reason to hope for a positive result.” he says.

Moscow will not be able to influence the decision of Bartholomew and the Synod, the expert believes.

“Constantinople is determined and strongly supports Ukraine.” Another confirmation of this was made in the speech of Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, who led the delegation of the Constantinople Patriarchate to Kyiv on the occasion of the 1,030th anniversary of the baptism of Kyivan Rus, Emmanuel said that the Ukrainian Church has a right to its place among the Local Churches. The Ecumenical Patriarchate could not remain blind and deaf to appeals that are repeated more than a quarter of a century,” Oleksandr Sagan explained.

After the approval vote, all members of the Synod should sign the Tomos. Even those who voted against. Then everything would depend on the Ukrainian side. How quickly we can implement it: hold a joint Council of Ukrainian Bishops who have signed an appeal to the Patriarch of Constantinople, elect the head of the Ukrainian Local Church. It is important to hold an informational campaign so that Ukrainians understand the meaning and importance of autocephaly and not succumb to the hostile propaganda of Moscow,” the religious scholar added.