"Does not correspond to Tomos": MP explained why the Phanar will not create additional exarchates on the territory of Ukraine

Rostyslav Pavlenko, MP of Ukraine from the European Solidarity party and one of the ideologists of the Tomos of the OCU, explained why the Patriarchate of Constantinople will not create any additional exarchates to accept the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under its omophorion after its ban. Pavlenko believes that the information circulated in this regard is not true, as it contradicts the provisions of the Tomos. The MP wrote about this on his Facebook account.

“They are allegedly “supporting” the provision of the Tomos on the possibility of involving the Ecumenical Patriarch to resolve key issues of the Church. They make far-reaching conclusions on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (they are probably very surprised by such conclusions). And as a conclusion, they are trying to convince people that Bill 8371 banning the activities of the Russian (!) Church in Ukraine somehow “prevents the UOC from leaving Moscow” or “disrupts the unification,” – Pavlenko writes.

The deputy added that the Tomos of autocephaly of the OCU designates the organization as “the only canonical church in Ukraine,” which makes it impossible to create any new exarchates for the banned UOC to join. Pavlenko concludes that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will have to join the OCU.

“Firstly, the Ecumenical Patriarch does have the powers of an arbitrator and other unique rights, which are certified by the Ecumenical Councils. If it were not for them, there would be no Tomos, nor all the decisions that preceded its granting. This is exactly what is reflected in the Tomos. There are very similar provisions in the Tomoses of other Local Churches. But the Tomos also recognizes the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as autocephalous within the state borders of Ukraine. This means that there can be no other Orthodox churches on this territory. None at all. Secondly, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has repeatedly emphasized that (quoted from His All-Holiness’ response to the Cerkvarium website back in 2020): “…in the spirit of pastoral sensitivity, we temporarily tolerate the existence of Ukrainian hierarchs under Russia not as local ruling bishops, but only as titular or residing hierarchs in Ukraine, according to Canon 8 of the First Council of Nicaea, hoping that, by the will of God, they will soon unite with the local Church,” – the MP emphasized.

Earlier, former MP Ihor Mosiychuk said that the Office of the President of Ukraine, together with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, is preparing to register the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Constantinople Patriarchate, which, according to their plans, will include the Ukrainian Orthodox Church after its ban.