GOC hierarch: “Ukrainian issue” can be solved only by Pan-Orthodox Council
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera. Photo:oukraniko.blogspot.com
On November 16, 2019, the Greek online publication Oukraniko published an appeal from the hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera, in which he urges believers to pray for the unity of the Church and condemns the pressure of politicians in light of the recognition of the OCU.
The Greek hierarch writes that the unity of the Church “is being shaken after the recognition of the autocephaly of the new Church,” which he considers to be “schismatic, seditious, and tyrannical”.
He condemns the "unbearable pressure exerted by influential political forces on church leaders" of the Local Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, which thus fulfill the "will of Caesar, not that of the Triune God."
This has resulted in "a flagrant violation of the sacred canons, interference with the normal order of our Church and a serious ecclesiastic problem that can only be solved with the help of the Pan-Orthodox Council."
He calls for the restoration of peace, stability and unity of the "martyrdom and the people of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry."
As reported by the UOJ, earlier Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera and Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus wrote a joint letter of appeal by which they declared their intention to initiate a Pan-Orthodox Council to discuss the “Ukrainian ecclesiastic issue” even without the participation of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
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.