Address of UOC Holy Synod to be read out in all churches and monasteries

UOC believers at the service

On December 23, 2018, during the Sunday Liturgy in all churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the text of the Address of the Holy Synod of the UOC on the latest events in the religious life of Ukraine will be read out to believers, reports the UOC Information and Education Department.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine blessed to make the Holy Synod’s Address to archpriests, priests, monastics and believers (Journal No. 73), adopted on December 17 during an emergency meeting at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, publicly available for the clergy and laity of the UOC.

At the meeting, it was decided to ask the Primate of the UOC to inform the Primates of other Local Orthodox Churches about the results of the “Unification Council” in Ukraine and other events in the religious life of the country.

The Information and Education Department also reported that, as of the end of 2018, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has 12,092 religious communities and 12,409 clergymen, as well as 258 monasteries with 4,501 monks.

We recall that on December 17, 2018, the head of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine (OCU) "Metropolitan of Kiev" Epiphany Dumenko stated that the new religious organization created at the "Unification Council" on December 15, 2018, only has about 7,000 parishes.

Read also

Abducted Ukrainian Deacon Dies During Military Training

Abducted and conscripted Ukrainian deacon Orest Cherny, known for his devotion and sacred singing, tragically died at age 46 during military training, leaving a legacy of faith and humility.

Court Hearing on Expulsion of Monks from Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Postponed Again

A long-delayed monastery lawsuit against a sanctuary faces yet another indefinite postponement after the presiding judge went on sick leave.

OCA Clergy Gather for Winter Synaxis Focused on Renewal and Resilience

More than 100 OCA clergy gathered online for the Winter 2025 Synaxis to pray, learn, and reflect on sustaining pastoral ministry and avoiding burnout through renewal in Christ.

Trump Administration Moves to Ban Federally Funded Transgender Procedures for Minors

The Trump administration is moving to bar federally funded hospitals from performing transgender medical procedures on minors, citing evidence of harm and a duty to protect children.

Bp. Theodosius: Ukraine's Authorities Classify Icons as Works of Art and Relics as Mummies

ROCOR hierarch links current policies toward holy sites and clergy to Soviet-era repression, calls for prayer and respect for religious freedom.

Society of St. John's Day of Action Gives Hope Persecution of UOC May Subside, Analyst Says

Political scientist says congressional outreach and high-level U.S. statements signal possible shift in response to persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.