Abp. Nikodim: State authorities create Church for "privileged" Ukrainians
Though the Church is one of the social institutions, it is not subject to reforms of state power, says Archbishop Nikodim.
Otherwise, each new ruler of the country will “shape” the Church for himself, interfere with interchurch diplomacy, Archbishop Nikodim of Severodonetsk and Starobelsk said in an interview published by the press service of the eparchy.
“People must be told the truth. A man has gone to church all his life, participated in the sacraments, and here from the television screens, he is reported that his Church has already been abolished. Here the calmest will be offended! And then, on top of that, the President also says “you have nothing to do here” and sends the parishioners of the canonical Church to the neighbouring country ... Citizens of Ukraine! ” the bishop says.
According to him, this happens “only because the state is creating its own church structure and, apparently, for privileged Ukrainians. Now we are all labelled as an enemy, and by and large, we have become just toys in a big political game.”
“People themselves say that they in the region at war have enough of one front, the church “front” is neither needed for the east of Ukraine, nor for the country as a whole. Moreover, believers declare that if a new church structure is formed, they will not go there. This is the position of the faithful, and it must be taken into account,” Vladyka explained.
He noted, “Of course, our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been and will be strong in its canonical foundations. Whatever the trials and temptations of its unity are, thank God, we have a wise Primate, the His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, we have numerous clergy and faithful flock!”
According to the hierarch, the strength of the UOC “is not in the documents and loud beautiful statements. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is strong in its unshakable canonicity and faithful children, and it's millions of believers in Ukraine. The path of legalizing the schism, which Constantinople has taken, state interference with church affairs, attempts to rename our Church ... Any new step is an inconceivable precedent! But when the time comes, the Lord will put everything in its place. And we will withstand with faith in God. ”
As the UOJ reported, the Severodonetsk eparchy has earlier spoken out in favour of preserving the existing status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and expressed support for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry.
