UOC-KP calls on hierarchs of UAOC and UOC (MP) to start preparing for extraordinary unification council

The Kyiv Patriarchate urges the hierarchs of the UAOC and the UOC (Moscow Patriarchate) to start creating the Local Church since the historic decisions of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have now removed all obstacles to the Eucharistic communion with the Plenitude of Orthodoxy.

This is stated in the statement of the press center of the Kyiv Patriarchate.

“The Kyiv Patriarchate urges the hierarchs of the UAOC and those involved in the process of unification of the hierarchs of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine to begin the preparation of the Extraordinary Unification Council. The purpose of this Council is to approve the decision on church unity, to elect the Primate of the One Local Autocephalous Orthodox Church, who on its behalf will receive the Patriarchal and Synodal Tomos of the Autocephaly of the UOC,” the document says.

“We expect that taking into account all the circumstances - the remoteness in history, fruitful activity, a large number of bishops, clergy and faithful, monasteries and religious schools, and other factors - the Patriarchal and Synodal Tomos will also be universally approved by the Patriarch of the Primate of the local UOC,” the authors of the appeal note.

The UOC-KP also support the call of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to refrain from taking over churches, monasteries and other property, as well as from any other violent acts and retaliation.

“The process of unification of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy must be voluntary, peaceful and evolve without coercion. Every member of the Church, as well as every community of laity or monks, will have the right to freely choose the center of their church subordination – to affiliate to the Ukrainian or Russian Church.

Those hierarchs, clergy and lay people who will, in all circumstances, remain subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, have the right to do so. The Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine will equally coexist with all other churches and religious organizations as guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of our state and international law,” emphasizes the Kyiv Patriarchate.