Abp. Elpidophoros Criticizes UOC Over Non-Commemoration

Patriarch Kirill. Photo: Russian Orthodox Church

NEW YORK — Abp. Elpidophoros, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH) under the Ecumenical Patriarchate, criticized the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) for discontinuing the commemoration of Moscow Patriarch Kirill, in an interview with Veche.

Questioning the UOC’s canonical claims, the Archbishop said that its hierarchy, including Metr. Onuphry, undermines its own status by refusing commemoration. “Since these hierarchs, and possibly even Metr. Onuphry himself, refuse to commemorate the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, how can they claim that they are a canonical Church?” he asked. “How can one be a canonical Church if one commemorates no one?”

Abp. Elpidophoros further faulted the UOC leadership for disregarding the authority of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whom he described as “the only patriarch in the Orthodox world who, by history and the canons of the Ecumenical Councils, has the right to grant you canonical status.”

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros called the faithful to compassion and charity during Nativity. 

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