Metropolitan Anthony comments on the decisions of the Holy Synod of UOC
The UOC hierarchs discussed the situation resulting from the appointment of two exarchs of the Constantinople Church to Ukraine, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) said.
The Holy Synod emphasized that Phanar's actions are anticanonical and perceived as direct interference in the affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reported the Chancellor of the UOC Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary on September 25.
The hierarch said that the Synod urged the Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to stop interfering in the internal affairs of the UOC and not to violate the canonical territory, as well as to withdraw his exarchs.
Vladyka Anthony noted that the bishops called on the clergy, monastics and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to strengthen their prayers for preserving the unity of Orthodoxy.
Metropolitan Anthony said that the Synod also considered another painful topic related to "anti-church" bills.
"These bills are aimed at raider seizure of our churches and UOC assets," said Bishop Anthony. "Therefore, the Holy Synod highlighted that these laws are unconstitutional and their adoption can lead to public confrontation. The Synod called on all those who stimulate the adoption of anti-church bills, change their mind and think about the future of our Motherland."
As reported by the UOJ, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held a session on September 25 at the residence of the Primate of the UOC on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The session was presided by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.
