Odesa Eparchy representative explains why there are no conversions to OCU

Archpriest Myroslav Vdodovych, a cleric of the Odessa Eparchy of the UOC. Photo: dw.com video screenshot

Archpriest Myroslav Vdodovych, a cleric of the Transfiguration Cathedral of Odesa, explained in a comment to Deutsche Welle journalists why not a single Odesa parish of the UOC has transferred to the OCU.

"What conversion, where to convert, who to convert to? We have our own Church, which has 10 thousand parishes, its Primate, its Synod, which has all the powers, which appoints bishops, the Church makes its own myrrh," said Fr. Myroslav. “These are all features of the Church's independence.”

The priest also advised journalists to ask what features of independence the OCU actually has.

Earlier, Odesa Regional Council MPs refused to consider a draft decision to ban the UOC’s operations in the region.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.