Patriarch Theophilos: I recognize only the Church of Met Onuphry in Ukraine
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. Photo: ukraina.ru
On September 4, 2019 in Jerusalem, the Primate of the Jerusalem Church, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, during the meeting with the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Pavel (Ponomarev) of Minsk and Zaslavsk, announced that he recognizes only the UOC in Ukraine. This was reported on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate.
“I recognize only one Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which is headed by Metropolitan Onuphry,” the Primate of the Church of Jerusalem stressed.
He also noted that the holy fathers consider schism to be the most serious sin against divine love, which underlies church unity.
Patriarch Theophilos III drew the attention of the participants to the fact that in the modern world it is most important to maintain the unity of the Holy Orthodox Church.
The Primate of the Jerusalem Church also shared with the audience that he is devastated by what is happening in the religious life of Ukraine.
Earlier, the hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Nektarios (Dovas) of Kerkyra also stated that he recognizes in Ukraine only one canonical Church – the UOC.
Read also
OCU chaplain: A soldier should not feel guilty for killing enemies
According to a cleric of the OCU, the word “killing” should not even be used in this context.
AFU servicewoman punished by “being sent to the frontline” for defending UOC
An OCU representative explained how commanders punish UOC believers who defend their Church.
UOC church seized after OCU's and UGCC's provocation at soldier's funeral
Supporters of the UGCC brought the body of a soldier into the church, pressuring a UOC priest to conduct the funeral according to the Greek Catholic rite in an Orthodox church.
UOC hierarch calls on the faithful to pray for the return of seized shrine
Metropolitan Theodosiy urged the faithful to communal and personal prayer to Archangel Michael.
Russian Orthodox Church Primate: Christ did not condemn death penalty
The Patriarch added that, although the Church does not welcome the death penalty, it has never condemned it if this punishment is carried out in accordance with the law.
Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has requested criminal case files from the Vinnytsia City Court for cassation review.