ROC on "online communion": "Sacraments" of OCU are not valid in principle
Head of the ROC Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and the Media Vladimir Legoyda. Photo: rg.ru
On May 12, 2020, Vladimir Legoyda, head of the ROC Synodal Department for Relations of the Church with Society and the Media, commented on his Telegram channel on the “communion” via video conferencing conducted by an OCU representative.
“The OCU made a liturgical ‘breakthrough’, starting to ‘receive communion’ online,” writes Vladimir Legoyda.
He emphasizes: “The saddest thing is that this is not done by some homegrown self-ordained cleric but by a former archpriest of the canonical Church, who had previously graduated from the Orthodox St. Tikhon Humanitarian University and taught courses of the clergy of the Zaporozhye Eparchy of the UOC – in a word, a person who understands the whole theological absurdity of his undertaking. Not to mention that no “sacraments” in a schismatic community are valid in principle.”
Vladimir Legoyda recalled that "according to the Zaporozhye Eparchy, I. Savva, now banned from the priesthood, has always been distinguished by views opposing the general church positions on many issues. So, he was repeatedly seen as a participant in the Moscow catechism conferences of Fr. Georgy Kochetkov."
As reported earlier, the Zaporozhye cleric of the OCU said that under quarantine he holds “full” online liturgies and Communion for his parishioners via video conferencing.
Read also
TRC comments on situation with detention of Metropolitan Longin’s children
The agency reported that after the necessary documents were provided, the man was given the opportunity to formalize a deferral.
Media: Metropolitan Longin’s children released from the TRC
The release was made possible only thanks to the courageous and steadfast position of the metropolitan and the reaction of the entire Orthodox community.
DESS says how many UOC churches have "transferred" to OCU since war started
As of early 2024, there were 10,919 UOC religious organizations in Ukraine, 10,586 of which are religious communities.
Metropolitan Longin to Zelensky: Release my son from TRC
Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed an appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
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.