Greek media claims OCU "clerics" desecrate churches in Greece
Believers in Greece argue that representatives of the OCU are "excommunicated, unordained, and, in reality, only laypeople wearing cassocks."
On December 23, 2024, the Coordinating Council of Believers of the Holy Metropolis of Peristeri issued a statement expressing concern over the presence of OCU "priests" in Greece.
The Greek publication Tàs Thýras Тàs Thýras reported that a recent "service" conducted by Vasyl Lilo at the Church of Saint Paraskeva in Peristeri occurred "apparently with the blessing of the destroyer Bartholomew, who recently visited this much-suffering metropolis."
"Now, as the situation in Ukraine worsens, where will he (Patriarch Bartholomew) send the illegitimate 'autocephalous' members of the Ukrainian schism? Brothers, be vigilant so that we do not have to receive them here and see them desecrate our churches!" the publication wrote.
In response, the Coordinating Council of Believers of the Holy Metropolis of Peristeri called on all faithful in the diocese to remain cautious and to abstain from participating in "services" conducted by OCU "priests".
"These priests are, for the most part, deposed, excommunicated, unordained, and unrecognized by the rest of the official Orthodox Church. Participating in prayers with the aforementioned 'clergymen,' who are, in reality, only laypeople dressed in cassocks, renders a believer deprived of communion, according to the Holy Canons!" the authors of the statement emphasized.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Greek media described Vasyl Lilo as "a notorious vandal, without priestly ordination, who conducted a service in a church of the Peristeri Metropolis."
