Mother of OCU Bishop Receives Great Schema at UOC Monastery

RIVNE — Hryhoriy Kryzyna, a bishop of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), announced on social media that his mother has taken the great Great Schema in the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

The nun, Nina, is a widow. The tonsure occurred at St. John the Theologian Convent in Kopashnevo, Zakarpattia, led by Archimandrite Isaakii. She previously took the Small Schema as Anastasia. She has now received the name Nina in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina of Georgia. 

When asked about his mother’s actions, Kryzyna said, “The UOC MP [sic] is schismatic in relation to the [Russian Orthodox Church], but close to the OCU.” 

Another OCU bishop, Varsonofiy Rudnyk, said: “A worthy step. I ask for the prayers of Schema-nun Nina for me, a sinner.”

However, an OCU deacon named Oleksiy Moroz questioned why she didn’t join the OCU, where her son serves. OCU priest Volodymyr Buhrak also expressed concern, calling it inappropriate to celebrate the event. 

Kryzyna was asked whether his mother recognizes his episcopacy. He did not respond.

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