UOC makes a statement on Lukyanik's provocative actions

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: news.church.ua

On January 28, 2021, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine sent a letter to the heads of vicariates, governors and abbots of monasteries, rectors of churches of the Kyiv Diocese, explaining the provocative and political actions of Valentin Lukyanik and the so-called "All-Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood of the Holy Archangel of God" held in Kyiv.

In a letter on behalf of the Primate of the UOC, published on the Facebook page of the secretary of the Synodal Liturgical Commission, Archpriest Dimitry Garchuk, it is reported that Lukyanik and Brotherhood tried to pass off their actions as the UOC events. "In this regard, we remind you that V. Lukyanik and the All-Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood have nothing to do with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and do not have our blessing for their activities."

His Beatitude states with regret that "Lukyanik's behavior testifies that he is a provocateur and a swindler who misleads believers."

As the UOJ reported, unidentified persons burned an effigy of Patriarch Bartholomew on Sophia Square.

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