Nikodim Kobzar, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate, announced the establishment of a diocese in Mexico

The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), Nikodim Kobzar, signed a decree establishing the Mexican Diocese of the UOC-KP and incorporating local parishes, a monastery, and an academy into the organization.

According to the decree dated June 10, 2026, Daniel de Jesús Ruiz Flores was appointed head of the new diocesan structure and received the title of “Metropolitan of Mexico City and All Mexico.” The newly created diocese includes the Holy Trinity Monastery, the Church of the Holy Archangels, several missions, and a theological academy. In their petitions, the Mexican clergy explained their decision to come under the jurisdiction of the UOC-KP by citing the requests of the local Ukrainian diaspora, which wished to be in “canonical unity” with the Kyiv Patriarchate.

Kobzar also approved the personnel of the new structure. Archimandrite Constantine (Flores Oheda), Priest Matthew (Matthias Patrick Jacob), and Deacon Basil (Jaime Fabrizio Prada Rojas). All of them pledged to commemorate Nikodim during divine services as their “primate.”

As a reminder, on May 31, 2026, the head of the UOC-KP, Nikodim Kobzar,officially accepted “Archbishop” Nicola (Nuncio) Rimau into the organization and announced the creation of a new ecclesiastical vicariate covering the territories of Italy and Portugal.