Exarch: Constantinople recognizes all clergy of KP and UAOC as canonical

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople

Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon, one of the two Patriarchal Exarchs in Ukraine, reported at a meeting with President Petro Poroshenko on October 16 that the entirety of the clergy of the KP and UAOC are now considered canonical.

The hierarch noted that the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople considered the appeals of Filaret Denisenko and Makary Maletich, the leaders of the two schismatic organizations. They “have been canonically reinstated to their hierarchical or priestly rank, and their faithful have been restored to communion with the Church,” according to the decision taken at the Synod’s session on October 11.

However, in the immediate aftermath, it remained unclear whether the clergy ordained by them during the period when they were anathematized were recognized by Constantinople as well.

But, as Abp. Daniel explained to Poroshenko, “The Church ‘sanctions’ against these spiritual leaders were lifted and they were restored in their holy orders, and with them the clergy who nourish the people of Ukraine in these churches. Therefore, when there is some talk about the non-canonicity of the holy Sacraments celebrated by the clergy of these churches, the holy Mother-Church has answered, These Sacraments and clerical actions are canonical.”

As the UOJ reported, Archbishop Job (Getcha) of Telmessos, a hierarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, commenting on the canonical status of Filaret Denisenko, said that the Phanar considers him to be “the former metropolitan of Kiev”. At the Divine services, the leader of the UOC KP Filaret continues to be commemorated as the “patriarch”.

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