Russian Orthodox Church Codifies Long-Standing Practice for Receiving OCU Members

MOSCOW — The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved guidelines on October 22, 2026, formalizing the reception by Baptism of people entering the Church from Ukraine’s non-canonical religious structures, including the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and its predecessor groups.

The document, recorded in Synodal Journal No. 83, clarifies that the requirement does not apply to members of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) who seek to return to communion. Those who were baptized in the Orthodox Church before joining a schismatic group are received back through Confession and repentance.

According to the guidelines, the practice predates the current war in Ukraine. The document references a 2020 Moscow Patriarchate circular, while a 2019 interview with Metr. Theodosy of Cherkasy described the UOC as having followed the practice since 1992. The guidelines cite the absence of recognized apostolic succession in the OCU and its predecessor organizations as the reason for requiring Baptism.

The rules also address clergy and monastics from schismatic structures. Those ordained within such groups are generally received as laypeople, while cases involving clergy originally ordained in the canonical Church are assessed individually. Admission decisions ordinarily belong to the diocesan bishop or an authorized commission, with limited exceptions for emergencies.

Communities seeking reception must undergo a canonical inquiry and submit petitions agreeing to the Church’s requirements. The guidelines also specify conditions concerning leadership, liturgical practice, and the rejection of schismatic affiliations. Applicants previously baptized in Catholic or Protestant communities are to be received according to the rules applicable to their earlier confession.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the head of the Ukrainian Institute met with a Montenegrin schismatic leader.