"Who Forbid the OCU from Spitting on Satan?": Greek-American Media Shocked by the Ukrainian Schism's Decision to Amend the Rite of Baptism

The OCU has decided to remove the traditional rite of “blowing and spitting” on Satan from its baptismal service. This change is justified by the fact that modern congregants often perceive this ancient gesture not as an act of spiritual resistance, but as something that invites ridicule. Nevertheless, this questionable decision has caused confusion among a number of church media outlets not only in Ukraine but also abroad. A related article was published on the Greek-American church portal Helleniscope.

According to sources, the changes were announced during the Faith Talks podcast. Church representatives explained that traditional meanings must be expressed in modern forms that would be understandable to today’s society. In the OCU’s official liturgical book, the old ritual accompanying the threefold renunciation of the devil was removed, as it is allegedly no longer properly understood by parishioners.

This decision has sparked widespread debate in church circles. Critics, particularly the author of Helleniscope, question the legitimacy of abandoning Sacred Tradition in order to conform to secular standards. Particular attention is being paid to the role of the Patriarchate of Constantinople: it remains unclear whether this innovation was coordinated with Patriarch Bartholomew, given that the Tomos of Autocephaly reserves for the Phanar the right to oversee important doctrinal and canonical matters.

The proponents of the changes insist that the abandonment of the rite is motivated by a desire to make church life more accessible; however, opponents emphasize that the Church must explain the significance of its actions, rather than eliminate them, thereby turning a fundamental renunciation of evil into a formality that does not provoke rejection from the modern world.