Archbishop of Prague issues an order on impossibility of serving with OCU
Archbishop Michael (Dandar) of Prague and all the Czech Lands
On February 20, 2019, Michael (Dandar), Archbishop of Prague and the Czech Lands, issued a decree “On the Permission to Serve the Holy Liturgy with the Clergy of Foreign Dioceses”, which clearly defined the OCU as a non-canonical structure, with which “neither the ministry nor access to the Holy Communion can occur in the land of the Prague Orthodox Diocese." The relevant documents were published by telegram channel Autokephalia.
According to the decree of the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, from now on to serve the Liturgy with representatives of foreign clergy in the territory of the Prague Diocese, two documents will be required:
1. The confirmation of the supreme metropolitan, archbishop or bishop that this clergy is a full member of the Orthodox diocese of the canonical Orthodox Church, it is not banned from ministry nor is it under any other canonical disciplinary punishment.
2. The confirmation of the Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands on the possibility of serving the Holy Liturgy with the clergy of a foreign Orthodox diocese in the land of the Prague Diocese.
It is noted that both of these documents must be supplied in writing; in exceptional cases, Bishop Michael accepts oral confirmation. The head of the religious community must make copies of the above documents and keep them in church archives.
“In the case of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, given the canons of the Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is considered canonical (Moscow Patriarchate – UOC-MP). The so-called "Orthodox Church of Ukraine – OCU" is considered non-canonical, whereby neither the service of the Holy Liturgy nor access to the Holy Communion can occur in the land of the Prague Orthodox Diocese,” the Archbishop’s decree says.
The document emphasizes that cases of joint church service with the clergy of the non-canonical Church in the territory of the Prague Diocese "will entail harm not only to the Orthodox religious community of the Prague Orthodox Diocese, but also to the entire Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia."
"The perpetrators will be punished for non-compliance with this order," summarizes the decree of the Archbishop of Prague and the Czech Lands.
As the UOJ reported, on November 24, 2018, Archbishop Michael of Prague paid a visit to Odessa for the prayer support of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Read also
Verkhovna Rada Debates Whether There Are Enough Votes to Repeal Law Banning the UOC
MP Yulia Sirko warns that repealing the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church could lead to revolution.
Scientists Invent Brain-Computer Chip Capable of Reading Human Minds
The "brain-computer" interface will help people who have lost the ability to speak communicate through the power of thought.
Metropolitan of the Jerusalem Church Strongly Condemns Actions of Ukrainian Authorities: Persecutions Like in Soviet Times
Metropolitan Timotheos of Vostra, Exarch of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Cyprus, denounces desecration at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra as a grievous assault on Orthodoxy.
Prayer Site of Persecuted UOC Community Set on Fire in Kyiv Region
The Orthodox community suspects OCU representatives of arson.
Documentary on St. Sava in Production with Support of Serbian Orthodox Church
Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Željko Mirković leads project spanning Athos, Balkans, and beyond.
HCHC Offers Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
The program is designed for clergy, lay leaders, and nonprofit professionals and offers courses in strategic planning, fundraising, governance, financial management, marketing, and program evaluation—all grounded in Orthodox Christian values.