Metr. Mark of Berlin: A Layman Leads the OCU
ROCOR hierarch says Constantinople granted autocephaly to a schismatic structure and urges faithful to stand firm in truth.
BERLIN — Metropolitan Mark, head of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) Diocese in Germany, stated that the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) does not possess valid priestly or episcopal ordination, addressing the ongoing church situation in Ukraine in an interview with UOJ-Germany.
Commenting on the involvement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Mark said its intervention culminated in the granting of a Tomos of autocephaly to what he described as a schismatic structure. He underscored that the individual placed at the head of this body — Sergei Dumenko — is a layman "who has neither priestly nor episcopal ordination."
Reflecting on the broader implications of the schism, the hierarch acknowledged the gravity of the current divisions while expressing confidence in an eventual resolution grounded in truth.
“Today it is impossible to say how this schism can be overcome. But the truth will prevail in the end,” the hierarch emphasized.
When asked how the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) should respond amid mounting pressures, Metropolitan Mark urged them to look to the saints as models of steadfastness and endurance in times of ecclesial crisis.
“St. Gregory the Theologian, in his time, was the only Orthodox bishop in Constantinople. And he had there only one small church. All the other church buildings were in the hands of heretics. His legitimacy was questioned, he was slandered, and many persecuted him, including those in power,” His Eminence recalled. “By firm and unequivocal safeguarding of the true faith he prevailed; his theology won out and has defined Orthodoxy for centuries. Thus, in the end, the truth was established.”
He concluded by encouraging believers not to succumb to discouragement, even when circumstances appear unfavorable.
“Therefore, no one should lose heart or abandon hope. God preserves His children, even when the struggle at the moment seems unequal, when heretics and schismatics are in the majority. Truth already contains victory within itself, even if outwardly it is not visible,” the hierarch stressed.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a church seized by the OCU is being used to store clothing.
