The Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary commented on the congratulatory message to the Exarch of the Phanar on his anniversary

Archbishop Sylvester, Rector of the Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Stoychev), commented on the congratulations extended by the faculty of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary to Bishop Mykhailo Anishchenko of Komansk, the Exarch of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Ukraine, on the occasion of his 50th birthday. In Stoychev’s view, there is nothing wrong with such a gesture, as it is an expression of ecclesiastical diplomacy rather than a “church-political declaration.”

Commenting on the event, which took place on September 21 of this year, Archbishop Sylvester noted that representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have regularly maintained relations with various religious denominations, including those that were hostile toward canonical Orthodoxy. “At all times, the Church has had both ecclesiastical-political relations and ecclesiastical-diplomatic relations. One need only look at news reports from various years—even those concerning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—to see that meetings with representatives of other denominations—even those with whom the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has strained relations—did take place. For some reason, no one remembers this, or they pretend not to remember. But it happened. […] That’s why I’m surprised when people don’t understand that the life of the Church has always had other aspects besides sacred ministry… “Therefore, congratulating someone on an anniversary is simply part of the Church’s existence—its ecclesiastical diplomacy, if you will,” – Stoychev noted. 

At the same time, the bishop asserts that such actions by representatives of the KDAiS should not be interpreted as a political or canonical declaration. The UOC hierarch believes that this practice is entirely normal for the Church.

“There’s no need to draw any conclusions from this, such as that it was an ecclesiastical-political or, even more so, an ecclesiastical-canonical declaration. It seems to me that any thinking person will understand that such events are normal in the community to which we belong. One must understand that diplomacy is inherent to the Church,” the bishop added.

It is worth noting that earlier, Bishop Mikhail Anishchenko of Komansk, the Exarch of the Patriarch of Constantinople in Ukraine, called on the clergy and faithful of the UOC to come to terms with the fact that a “Local Church” has emerged in the country, referring to the OCU.