The conflicting hierarchs of the ОCU in Rovno called on local dioceses of the UOC to join them

The heads of the OCU dioceses in the Rivne region, Hilarion Protsyk and Gabriel Kryzyna, who are constantly in conflict with each other for influence in the region, simultaneously published an appeal to the local clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church calling for unification with the OCU. Protsyk’s and Kryzyna’s appeals were published on the websites of their dioceses.

“We all understand that the activities of organizations that carry the ideas of the ‘Russian world’ are unacceptable in Ukraine. They poison our people, sow discord, and destroy our society from within. Therefore, you must take a clear position and do everything possible to protect our spiritual independence. I urge all of you to realize the importance of this moment and to withdraw from the Moscow Patriarchate, because this is not only a step towards spiritual freedom, but also an act of patriotism and a manifestation of true love for Ukraine. Organize a parish meeting, discuss the situation and make wise decisions. This is not a time for hesitation or fear, it is a time for decisive action and a clear choice: whether you will stand on the side of light and truth or remain in darkness and evil. These decisions must be made by each of you personally,” — said Protsyk.

For his part, Gabriel Kryzyna called for following the Tomos of autocephaly of the OCU, which the organization received in 2019 from the Patriarch of Constantinople, and joining their organization.

“According to God’s Providence, Ukraine has a local Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which received the Patriarchal and Synodal Tomos of autocephaly from the Mother Church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on January 6, 2019, and took the honorable 15th place in the church diptych. This Tomos was issued to unite all Orthodox Christians in Ukraine. I consider it appropriate to conclude my appeal with the following quote from the deputy document: “We call for the strict implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations” signed by President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky: go to your church, profess holy Orthodoxy! But gather your will, take responsibility, organize a parish meeting, get out of the Moscow schism, wash off the stigma of being Moscow’s slaves and silent accomplices in its crimes! And join the family of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which is in unity with world Orthodoxy! For those who want to look for opportunities! And those who do not want to look for reasons!” — Kryzyna wrote.

Earlier, the head of the Rivne-Volyn Diocese of the OCU, Gabriel Kryzyna, who had previously transferred from the UOC to the UAOC in the rank of archimandrite, published another revelation about the “internal kitchen” of the OCU. Kryzyna believes that misunderstandings within the OCU will continue as long as two or three hierarchs of this organization “rule” in one regional center.