Serbian Church hierarch visits Sumy to support UOC

A hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Gregory of Düsseldorf and All Germany, arrived in the Sumy Eparchy to support the canonical UOC and its clergy.

The visit of the Serbian archpastor took place on August 4–5, 2026. Metropolitan Gregory met with Metropolitan Yevlohiy of Sumy and Okhtyrka to express solidarity in connection with the ongoing court proceedings against him.

The hierarch made a special trip to Ukraine to attend the court hearing, which was ultimately postponed. The distinguished guest assured the bishop of his prayerful support and addressed words of comfort to the faithful of the Sumy region, who bear the burdens of war.

In his address, the hierarch particularly highlighted the Council of the UOC in Feofania. "We know about your Council at the Feofania Monastery, which made such a courageous and resolute decision – to be first and foremost Christians, servants of the Church," stated Metropolitan Gregory. He emphasized that this choice is in accordance with the Gospel and the calling to be peacemakers, whom the Lord calls blessed.

The hierarch of the Serbian Church bore witness to the canonical status of the UOC. "Our Church sees the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as a canonical Orthodox Church. You are neither schismatics nor enemies," the bishop stressed. He added that he had come from Germany to share in the cross bearing and to be likened to Simon of Cyrene, who helped Christ carry the cross to Golgotha.

The visit coincided with tragic events in Sumy. Metropolitan Gregory expressed his deep condolences over the deaths of two Sunday school pupils: ten-year-old Emilia and five-year-old Sofia, who fell victim to a strike on the day of his arrival.

During his visit, the Serbian bishop visited the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Sumy, where he learned about the life of the eparchy and prayed before its principal shrines. In gratitude for his support, Metropolitan Yevlohiy presented the guest with the eparchy's award, the "Distinction of the Metropolitan of Sumy and Okhtyrka." The hierarch was also given a copy of the wonderworking Malа Chernechchyna Icon of the Saviour "Bread of Life", along with an episcopal set – a cross and a panagia.

Metropolitan Gregory has a unique pastoral experience: he previously headed the Diocese of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, which survived the aftermath of the war in the Balkans. His current ministry in Germany is connected with the protection of human rights and freedom of religion within the European legal framework. As noted by the eparchy, the visit of such an authoritative hierarch became an important testimony that the UOC remains an inseparable part of Universal Orthodoxy and preserves its unity with the fullness of the Church.

The UOJ previously reported that the Bishops' Council of the Serbian Church spoke out in defense of the UOC.