OCU "bishops" demand to exclude UOC from Transcarpathian Spiritual Council

“Bishop” of the OCU Varsonofiy. Photo: zakarpattya.net.ua

“Bishop” of the OCU Varsonofiy. Photo: zakarpattya.net.ua

Three heads of OCU dioceses in Transcarpathia demanded that the chairman of the Interfaith Spiritual Council convene a meeting to consider the appropriateness of UOC representatives remaining in the council. Their "official statement" was published by the local outlet "Anons Zakarpattia".

The OCU "bishops" are calling for the exclusion of the ruling bishops of the Mukachevo and Khust dioceses of the UOC, expressing their dissatisfaction that the council's chairman has not responded to their statements and protests.

"...You were elected as the new chairman of the Interfaith Spiritual Council of Churches in Transcarpathia in August 2020. Since then, you have not convened a meeting of the Council and have not considered our previous request regarding the appropriateness of UOC representatives' membership in the advisory interfaith body of the Transcarpathian Regional Military Administration. For reasons unknown to us, you have consistently ignored our arguments on this matter. In protest against your actions, we officially announced our withdrawal from the Interfaith Spiritual Council of Transcarpathia on November 11, 2022, at all levels, as representatives of the UOC dioceses of Transcarpathia (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate) are still present in it," the statement reads.

In justifying their latest request, stating that they cannot stand aside from future decisions of the Council, the OCU demanded to be re-included in the council, but only after the issue of the "appropriateness of the UOC's presence" in the body is reviewed. Another demand of the OCU "bishops" was the "re-election of the chairman of the Interfaith Spiritual Council of Transcarpathia," who does not satisfy them.

The OCU based their request to exclude the UOC from the Council on information about UOC hierarchs in Transcarpathia they had found on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church, patriarchia.ru.

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Transcarpathia also signed the statement along with the OCU "bishops".

As previously reported by UOJ, in the village of Kalyta, OCU supporters seized a UOC church.

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.