OCU Says Presence Abroad Is Coordinated with Ecumenical Patriarch
An OCU cleric says its Polish missions are justified by wartime needs and backed by Constantinople.
WARSAW — An Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) cleric, Serhiy Sirenko, has accused the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church (PAOC) of pro-Russian sympathies and defended the OCU’s activities in Poland as “coordinated with the Ecumenical Patriarch."
In an interview with the Ukrainian outlet Zerkalo Nedeli, Sirenko acknowledged that the Tomos granted to the OCU by Patr. Bartholomew does not permit the OCU to establish parishes outside Ukraine. However, he argued that Russia’s full-scale invasion altered the situation, as many Ukrainian refugees in Poland allegedly did not wish to join local Orthodox jurisdictions.
Sirenko said the OCU created what it calls “chaplaincy missions” in Poland and other European countries, insisting the move was coordinated with Constantinople. He maintained that these missions would continue after the war, especially if the Polish Church does not recognize the OCU. He further criticized the Polish hierarchy, alleging that pro-Russian views are widespread among its clergy.
Addressing the issue of recognition, Sirenko stated, “If the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church recognized the OCU, our missions would simply become parishes and transfer to the PAOC.” He added, “But if the PAOC continues to refuse to recognize the OCU and the faithful of our Church require spiritual care, I think no one will abandon them to their fate.”
Previously, the UOJ reported that the OCA chancellor visited the Church of Poland.
