Synod of the UOC announces it’s ready for a schism-overcoming dialogue

On December 21,2017, during the regular session of the Holy Synod of the UOC, the readiness was expressed to conduct negotiations with those who are out of the unity bounds with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Journal #25), reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

Having considered the decision of the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, which was held in Moscow on November 29-December 2, 2017, the bishops of the UOC confirmed their willingness to negotiate with those who are not in unity with the UOC in order to overcome the split in Ukrainian Orthodoxy and to restore the church communication.

It will be reminded that on November 30 in answering the letter of former metropolitan Filaret (Denisenko) requesting for forgiveness, the Bishops' Council of the ROC blessed the creation of a commission for negotiations on overcoming the church schism in Ukraine.

It’s noteworthy that on the next day following his letter Filaret said “he does not bother about anathema” unlike those who imposed disciplinary punishment on him and who are thus interested in lifting the anathema. As fast as December 13 the Synod of the Kyiv Patriarchate announced the Lord Himslef will make everybody recognize the autocephaly of the UOC KP.