UOC Priest Concelebrates With Patr. Shio III During Georgia Pilgrimage
A UOC priest was welcomed to concelebrate in Georgia after church authorities verified his canonical standing.
TBILISI — As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) participated in Pentecost celebrations in Georgia and concelebrated with the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church after presenting documentation confirming his canonical status.
Fr. Vasyl Nachev of the Rivne Diocese said he traveled to Georgia on pilgrimage and visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. According to the priest, he identified himself as a cleric of the UOC under Metr. Onuphry, presented his clerical credentials, and provided written confirmation that he was not under any ecclesiastical prohibitions. Following that verification, he was welcomed into the altar area and took part in services.
Fr. Vasyl reported that he participated in the Saturday evening vigil and the Divine Liturgy on Pentecost Sunday alongside Patr. Shio III, Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. On Pentecost, the priest also visited Tbilisi’s historic Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, where pilgrims venerated the cross of St. Nino, a revered relic traditionally displayed for veneration on the feast. He stated that church officials again requested confirmation of his affiliation with the UOC before allowing him to participate fully in the services.
According to Fr. Vasyl, clergy at both churches informed him that priests of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) would not be permitted to participate in services there.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC delegation attended the enthronement of Patr. Shio.
