Drabinko presents a panagia of Met. Vladimir (Sabodan) to UGCC bishop

On January 12, 2020, the “hierarch” of the OCU Alexander Drabinko presented the newly-ordained bishop of the UGCC Stefan (Sus) with a panagia formerly owned by His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan).

The service, which was broadcast live by the Uniate YouTube channel “Live Television”, was held at the UGCC Cathedral of Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv.

At the end of the liturgy, the head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk noted that "there are also our Orthodox brothers among us".

According to him, “today we’ve talked about the common root of the Kyiv Church here on the banks of the Dnipro, about the general baptismal font of St. Prince Vladimir, in which we were born together."

He greeted the ex-metropolitan of the UOC Alexander (Drabinko), calling him his brother and friend.

In turn, congratulating Stefan (Sus) with the episcopal consecration, Drabinko recalled his consecration at the UOC, which took place 13 years ago and said that he actually identifies himself with the episcopal fullness in the cathedral of the UGCC:

“Today I also see the fullness of the Church – very good, great – the fullness that laid hands on you; and you, with us, will bear this burden. The burden of not glory, not honors but responsibility before God and before the people of God.”

Drabinko presented Bishop Stefan with a panagia, formerly owned by His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan): “Today, let me present you with what was left in my vestry of the late Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir – this holy panagia. May the Mother of God be the Intercessor of your further ministry and the Inspirer of the path that is heaven-born to you,” the “hierarch” of the OCU noted.

In addition, the “hierarch” of the OCU remembered the meeting of Lubomir Guzar with Metropolitan Vladimir, which was attended by Sviatoslav Shevchuk and hinted to those present that the “two elders”, discussing the future of the Church, allegedly developed plans for unity: “They said then – we’re going two paths, in parallel, we have one goal, but it’s not time yet. But one day we will see how it will be. We are sure to see this time, brothers and sisters.”

According to Drabinko, it was supposed to write a common book by Guzar and Metropolitan Vladimir, the purpose of which was to show "how the two elders see what we could realize in the future".

Addressing the head of the UGCC, the "hierarch" of the OCU expressed his conviction that "today is the realization of this future".

“What they did with us: with you (Shevchuk – Ed.), Vladyka (Sus – Ed.), me,” Drabinko continued, “this is that advancement. Crossing the line of the possible, make the possibility of the unreal real. What they could not do, we did and, I think, will do.”

Earlier the UOJ wrote that the UGCC had talked about leaving Rome and associating unauthorizedly with the OCU.