Zelensky dismisses First Deputy Head of OP positioned as loyal to UOC

Sergei Trofimov. Photo: pravda.com.ua

On November 4, 2020, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky dismissed Sergei Trofimov, who openly positions himself as a believer in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, from the post of First Deputy Head of the President's Office, says the corresponding decree published on the President's website.

It is noted that Trofimov's dismissal took place "in accordance with his application".

According to another presidential decree of November 4, Sergei Trofimov is appointed "External Advisor to the President of Ukraine".

Sergei Trofimov was appointed First Deputy Head of the President’s Administration on May 21, 2019. After the appointment, Trofimov promised to personally study the violations of the rights of believers of the canonical Church and also called the scandalous law No. 5309 on renaming the UOC “pressure and political manipulation”. In the summer of 2020, the author of anti-church law No. 5309, Alexander Briginets, made a petition demanding the dismissal of Trofimov for his "loyalty to the Moscow Patriarchate".

As reported, on October 19, 2020, the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, married Sergei and Anastasia Trofimov in Feofania.

Read also

Report: Vance Confronts Bartholomew Over Ukraine Schism

Vance supposedly accused the Ecumenical Patriarchate of receiving money from the U.S. government in exchange for granting "autocephaly" to the schismatic Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Cardinal Cupich’s Award to Sen. Durbin Sparks Pro-Life Outrage

A local pro-life activist called the decision “un-Catholic” and scandalous, urging Catholics to contact the Archdiocese to protest.

Pat. Bartholomew Arrives in NYC

A patriarchal doxology was held at the St. Nicholas National Shrine early Thursday afternoon, with former Vice President Mike Pence making an appearance.

National Antiochian Orthodox Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall

Those who wish to join the choir as singers must submit their applications by this Sunday, September 21. 

Orthodoxy Grows in West with Baptisms in Chile and Netherlands

Converts were received into the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas and the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Western Europe, respectively.

Theophilos Greets Kirill After Snubbing Bartholomew

The Patriarch of Jerusalem met with the Patriarch of Moscow during a conference in Kazakhstan. Notably, Theophilos avoided meeting the Patriarch of Constantinople during his recent visit to Istanbul.