The OCU called on its supporters to publicly criticize Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra over his visit to Moscow

The Volyn Diocese of the OCU issued an official statement to pilgrims, urging them to openly express their dissatisfaction with the actions of Metropolitan Nektarios of Kerkyra (Corfu). The conflict was sparked by the Greek hierarch’s recent visit to Russia, where he conducted divine services with the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous.

In a statement by the diocese published on , Metropolitan Nektarios’s actions were described as “inappropriate and spiritually harmful.” Representatives of the OCU emphasized that bringing the relic into a country whose leadership and part of the church hierarchy support military actions appears to be a demonstration of solidarity with the aggressor. The OCU expressed outrage that the metropolitan has for many years openly supported the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and completely ignored the OCU’s structure, despite its recognition by the Greek Orthodox Church.

The authors of the appeal called on pilgrims not to remain on the sidelines and, during visits to Corfu, to convey their position to the Greek clergy, expressing the “pain of Ukrainian Christians.” At the same time, the Volyn Diocese of the OCU sent Metropolitan Nektarios an invitation to visit Ukraine to personally meet with the families of the deceased and see firsthand the consequences of the military conflict, which, in the opinion of the diocese’s representatives, would allow the hierarch to hear “the voice of the Ukrainian people” rather than accepting what they call “Russian church propaganda.”

As a reminder, we previously reported that celebrations marking the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. During the event, Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos, and the Diapontia Islands was awarded a high ecclesiastical honor—the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Second Class.