UOC bishop on recognition of Macedonian Church: Phanar backstabs the Serbs
Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshivka. Photo: news.church.ua
The head of the Delegation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to International European Organizations, Bishop Viсtor (Kotsaba) of Baryshivka, commented on the acceptance of the Macedonian Church, a structure that had been in schism with the Serbian Patriarchate for a long time, into Eucharistic communion by the synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on May 9.
“Some say that Istanbul decided to ‘seize the initiative’ from the Serbian Church, weakening the position of the latter. Indeed, on May 6, 2022, Bishop Fotije of Zvornic-Tuzla said that the Serbian Church and the so-called ‘Macedonian Church’ resumed dialogue after a long break. He urged ‘to pray for the healing of the 1967 schism,’ since ‘the healing of the schism will be for the good of the Church and for the good of the two fraternal nations,’" Bishop Viсtor wrote on his Telegram channel.
“After the Serbian Church resumed resolving the issue of healing the schism in its canonical territory in Macedonia, the Phanariots stabbed it in the back. The acceptance of the ‘Macedonian Church’ into communion took place so hastily that one cannot help thinking this step was spontaneous, and Phanar merely ‘seized the moment’. Phanar's decision is a blow to the Serbian Church. It seems that it was not dictated by ‘unity concern’, which is in no way consistent with the recognition of schismatics without the knowledge and participation of the canonical Church in Macedonia. Instead, it was adopted to once again demonstrate Phanar’s determination to take advantage of an opportunity in order to increase its influence in whatever way and strengthen its position in the Orthodox world – even at the expense of the canons of the Church and the basic rules of fraternal mutual respect,” the hierarch of the UOC emphasized.
Recall that the Serbian media criticized the Phanar's recognition of the Macedonian Church and called it interference in internal affairs.
As the UOJ reported, on May 9, 2022, Phanar entered into Eucharistic communion with the Macedonian Church, calling it the Ohrid Archdiocese.
Read also
HCHC Community Holds All-Night Vigil Honoring Philoptochos Society and Its Patron Saints
Special prayers offered for members of the National Board and all Philoptochos chapters in gratitude for their decades of support.
Georgian Church Resumes Construction After Miracle
The foundation of a church was blessed at Georgia's Oncology Center — construction resumes on the Church of Ss. Panteleimon the Healer and John the Baptist.
BREAKING: Met. Arseny Hospitalized After Falling Ill During Court Hearing
Faithful urged to pray as proceedings in Sviatohirsk hierarch’s case continue daily.
Pat. Bartholomew: It Is a ‘Grave Sin’ To Put Politics Before Church Unity
"Those who jeopardize this unity in the name of geopolitical expediencies and base motives for acquiring earthly power—falsely cloaked in spirituality—commit an offense before God and a grave sin," the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
OCA Chancellor Visits Romania and Czech Lands and Slovakia
Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino represents Met. Tikhon at major church events and meetings with hierarchs of sister Churches.
Procession Held in Honor of St. Gabriel of Georgia
On Nov. 1, clergy, Mother Paraskeva, and Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian faithful took part in a procession from the house of St. Gabriel the Confessor and Fool-for-Christ to the Samtavro Monastery.