KDAiS shows inconsistency of State Ethnic Policy expertise on UOC
Head of State Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience V. Yelensky. Photo: risu.ua
The Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary released a video, in which they analyzed the religious expertise of the UOC Statute, conducted and published by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience on January 27, 2023. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.
“In the Conclusion, there is no definition of the basic concepts that the expert group of religious scholars used. These are such concepts as ‘autocephaly’, ‘autonomy’, ‘letter’, ‘tomos’, ‘diptych’ and especially ‘ecclesiastical-canonical relation’. In the absence of a clear definition of these concepts, the expert group operated on them rather arbitrarily, suggesting their own interpretation, on which the objectivity and professionalism of the Conclusion ultimately depended,” the video says.
The KDAiS recalled that autocephaly cannot be proclaimed independently but must be granted.
“The UOC at the Council on May 27, 2022, decided on complete independence and self-governance. In a letter to the Chairman of the DESS dated June 1, 2022, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry outlined the status of the UOC in terms of ‘administrative independence’ and ‘complete canonical independence’. In addition, it clearly stated the delimitation of the UOC from the Moscow Patriarchate,” the Kyiv Theological Academy said.
“Therefore, it can be asserted with confidence that the ‘conclusion’ of the religious expertise of January 27, 2023 regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is groundless, unfounded and contains all the signs of manipulation. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was, is and will be the Church of the Ukrainian people. In the future, as well as more than 1000 years ago, She will carry out her salvific mission with peace and love, fulfilling the eternal gospel instructions of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” the KDAiS emphasized.
As reported by the UOJ, the former head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Olena Bohdan, said that the conclusions of the DESS expert opinion on the discovery of ecclesiastical-canonical relations between the UOC and the ROC are unsubstantiated and full of assumptions.
Read also
St. Sava Black Tie Gala Scheduled for November 8
The event will be held at the St. Regis Chicago and will suppport the mission of St. Sava Academy.
St. Paul's in Dayton, OH, to Host 4th Annual Liturgical Music Workshop
This two-day event welcomes church musicians, choir directors, chanters, and Orthodox music enthusiasts for fellowship, prayer, and skill-building in liturgical music.
Pat. of Alexandria Speaks of Egyptian President's 'Love and Concern' for Orthodox Church
In an interview conducted by the Prime Minister's office, Theodore II said of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi: “The President’s love and concern for the Greek Orthodox Church in Egypt are a precious treasure for all of us."
After Criticism from National Herald, GOARCH Shares Public Schedule of Pat. Bartholomew
Questions had previously been raised about the Patriarch of Constantinople's upcoming visit to the U.S., which initially had a schedule of meetings that was seemingly restricted to the more privileged members of the archdiocese.
Serbian Orthodox Priest: There Is Only One Canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine — The UOC
Archpriest Slobodan Zeković affirms the exclusive canonical status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under Metropolitan Onuphry and explains the Church’s stance on Holy Communion and intercommunion with other Christian communities.
Pat. Porfirije: The Church Must Resist Applause at Appearing 'Modern'
Serbian Patriarch warns against diluting the Church’s mission during visit to historic Belgrade parish.