UGCC: The future patriarch must be elected by both Orthodox and Catholics
Head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk and President of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the UCU Ivan Datsko at a conference in Kiev. Photo: a screenshot of the video from the Zhyve.tv Facebook page
The Orthodox and Catholics in Ukraine should jointly elect a single patriarch, said the President of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University, a priest of the UGCC, Ivan Datsko, during a joint conference of representatives of the UGCC, Phanar and the OCU in Kyiv, a recording of which was posted on the Zhyve.tv Facebook page.
He believes that in order to elect a common patriarch, the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholics must take communion together. “I am convinced that the future Ukrainian patriarch needs to be elected by both Orthodox and Catholics. One, we do not need 5-10 patriarchates in Kyiv, one and all. But we must make joint efforts to take the Eucharist of love together, and then elect,” said the priest of the UGCC.
At the same time, he spoke out that the new religious organization should be called "Orthodox" or "autocephalous", since the representatives of Orthodoxy in Ukraine are in the majority. “I’m not against it – let it be Orthodox, it is in the majority, even autocephalous, but one patriarch,” Datsko said.
As reported, a conference of the UGCC, Phanar and the OCU on the search for unity was held in Kyiv.
Read also
Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary Celebrates 77th Commencement
The commencement speaker, Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth, reflected on the life and thought of Fr. Seraphim Rose and his relevance for Orthodox Americans today.
Western Diocese of ROCOR Publishes Schedule of Events to Honor St. John of San Francisco
Events include translation of his relics, the praying of his Akathist hymn, an all-night vigil, and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Metropolitan Meletiy Refutes Claims of Police Involvement in Attack
UOC hierarch apologizes to wrongly accused officer, urges forgiveness and media correction.
World Council of Churches Voices Concerns With St. Catherine’s Situation
During the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee meeting in South Africa, a minute called for further action in support of the monks at Mount Sinai.
Patriarch John X Addresses Syrian President in Wake of Terrorist Attack
In his eulogy to the faithful during the funeral service for the new martyrs of Damascus, His Beatitude called for more effort and action from the recently installed Syrian government.
Assembly of Bishops Condemns Terror Attack in Syria
Assembly of Canonical Bishops Mourns Victims, Calls for Peace and Rejects Religious Violence