Synod of UOC bans Alexander Drabinko and Simeon Shostatsky from priesthood
Synod of the UOC held on December 17
On December 17, 2018, the Synod of the UOC decided to ban Alexander Drabinko and Simeon Shostatsky from priesthood, says the official statement of the Holy Synod of the UOC, published by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.
Among the Synod’s resolutions today was the decision to dismiss from their eparchies and defrock the two metropolitans who had gone schismatic from the canonical Church to join the new nationalist church created by Constantinople on Saturday.
“The Synod dismissed Metropolitan Simeon of Vinnitsa and Bar and the bishop of the Kiev Metropolis Metropolitan Alexander of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and Vishnevoye from their eparchies and forbade them from serving,” the decision reads.
The UOC then asked "the loyal children" of the UOC to pray "for those hierarchs, who have gone schismatic, so that God give them wisdom and strength to return into the fold of the canonical Church," Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary said.
According to the final Synod documents published on the UOC website, Archimandrite Dionisy (Pilipchuk) was chosen as the new bishop of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky, while Met. Simeon’s has been replaced by the vicar of the Kiev Metropolis His Grace Bishop Varsonofy (Stoliar) of Borodianka.
As reported earlier, “Metropolitan” Simeon Shostatsky and “Metropolitan” Alexander Drabinko attended the “Unification Council”. On December 16, during the sermon after the Sunday Liturgy at the Cathedral of Vinnitsa, "Metropolitan" Simeon said that His Beatitude Onufry is no longer the Metropolitan of Kiev and is now in the status of a schismatic.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.