UOC-KP Synod adopts new full title of Primate

On October 20, 2018, a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate took place in the Synodal Hall of the Kyiv Patriarchate under the chairmanship of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus'-Ukraine.

The Synod members discussed the title of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate.

It was said that the overwhelming majority of the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches had a complete and shorter form of titling. Full title reflects the Primate’s status as first among the bishops (archbishops) of the relevant people (see Apostolic rule 34), as a Bishop (Metropolitan) of the ecclesiastical area (diocese), historical titles, and the title of Patriarch if relevant.

Traditionally, the Local Churches of the Greek National Tradition, use the title “Holiness” only in relation to the Archbishop of Constantinople - New Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch, all other Primates are titled as “Beatitude”. In other Local Churches, except the Romanian Church, the title "Holiness" is used in relation to all the patriarchs. The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church holds the title “His Holiness and Beatitude”.

Historic title of the bishops of the Kyiv Metropolia of the Patriarchate of Constantinople included a personal status – “Orthodox Archbishop,"” the status of head of a large ecclesiastical area – “Metropolitan of Kyiv, Galicia and All Rus” (sometimes “Russia”). Also, in the title of the Kyivan Bishop -- historically displayed as in subordination to him -- the Holy Archimandrite, of an especially significant sanctuary: the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

The Synod of the UOC-KP decided:

1. Given the changes taking place in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, with regard to the historical tradition, the practice of the Local Orthodox Churches and other essential circumstances, to introduce the full and abbreviated title forms for the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate.

2. The full title shall have the following form: “His Holiness and Beatitude (name), Archbishop of Kyiv - Mother of Russian cities, of Galicia, Patriarch of All Rus-Ukraine, Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk and Pochayiv Lavras, the Holy Archimandrite.”

The abbreviated title shall have the following form: “His Holiness (name), Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine”.

3. In the relations with other Local Orthodox Churches, “His Beatitude the Archbishop (name), Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine” and its derivatives are permissible forms to be used.

4. At worship, the title of the Primate is proclaimed in accordance with the texts of the Service Book and the Episcopal service book, used in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate: “His Holiness (name), the Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine.”