"Unification Council" elects "Metropolitan" Epiphany as head of OCU

"Metropolitan" Epiphany has become the head of the OCU

The “Unification Council” after two rounds of voting has elected "Metropolitan" Epiphany (UOC KP) as the head of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. 

"Bishop" Epiphany of the UOC KP was elected the head of the autocephalous Church. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko announced the creation of the "Ukrainian local Orthodox autocephalous church" and introduced the new primate as the “Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine” to the assembled in Sophia’s Square. 

“This day will go down in history as the day of the creation of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine <...> This is the day of the creation of the Church as an independent structure. <...> What is this Church like? This is a church without Putin. This is the Church without Kirill, without a prayer for the Russian authorities and the Russian army,” Poroshenko said.

The 39-year-old "Metropolitan" Epiphany of Pereyaslav and Belaya Tserkov is close to the schismatics’ head Filaret and is his vicegerent. Thus, Epiphany will receive the Tomos from Patriarch Bartholomew.

Earlier, the Holy Synod of the UOC decided to consider the "Unification Council" an illegal assembly.

Read also

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.

Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."  

OCU cleric blames TRC for forced mobilization and kidnapping of parishioners

It is reported that the mobilized person was helping with repair work in the church.

Greek theologian explains why Churches do not accuse ROC Primate of heresy

A professor from the University of Athens explained why no Orthodox Church had condemned Patriarch Kirill as heretic so far.