Bishop Viсtor: All believers of UOC are happy with its status
Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka. Photo: spzh.news
Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis, head of the Representation of the UOC to European International Organizations and associate professor of the Kyiv Theological Academy, Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka, at a meeting with young people in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, said that the UOC now has such a status that suits all its believers, for whom God and unity is above all, according to lavra.ua.
“The UOC has a status that satisfies all of its faithful. The main thing that unites us and makes us one is our Lord Jesus Christ. As Blessed Augustine said, ‘if Christ comes first, then everything else will be in its place.’ If we live in the Church, then God is above all for us. Wherever we are born, we love our earthly homeland. We all have a different heritage, but we must not split but unite in Christ in order to walk the path of salvation,” Vladyka noted.
Bishop Victor, in a conversation with young people, spoke about the reasons for the church schism in Ukraine and also emphasized the independent and self-governing status of the UOC.
“After the election of the Patriarch in Moscow, former Metropolitan of Kyiv Filaret abruptly changed his rhetoric and single-handedly began to torpedo the issue of autocephaly for the UOC. Under his authoritarian pressure, an appeal to the Russian Orthodox Church for immediate autocephaly was adopted, but soon our bishops began to withdraw their signatures, for which they were immediately punished,” Vladyka said.
According to Bishop Victor, true believers always feel untruth and injustice, so Metropolitan Filaret at that moment was not supported by the majority of people on the issue of autocephaly of the UOC.
“You can make various decisions, but if they fail to benefit the Church, contradict its canons and are wrong, then ordinary believing people feel it. And no matter how confident the powerful Filaret was then, the majority did not support him,” Vladyka added.
As the UOJ previously reported, the UOC called on to think about the spiritual safety of being on the Internet.
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.