Lotysh calls on UOC clergy and believers to join OCU despite lack of recognition by Local Churches

Avrahamiy Lotysh, an employee of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve and, at the same time, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery of the OCU, called on the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to join the OCU, despite the fact that the organization has not yet been recognized by most Local Churches. He believes that a sufficient argument in this case is the fact that some monasteries of Athos recognize the OCU and enter into concelebration with its representatives. Lotis wrote about this on his Facebook account.

“Your hearts are probably torn by doubts and anxieties. Do not look for excuses for your decision not to join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine because it is allegedly not recognized. After all, a number of other Athonite monasteries under the omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarch de facto recognize the canonical status of the OCU, concelebrating with His All-Holiness. Therefore, your decision cannot be justified by non-recognition,” — Lotysh said.

Earlier, Abraham Lotish said that the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, will never negotiate or make concessions regarding the OCU. Lotysh believes that this is due to the fact that Metropolitan Onufriy was raised in “Moscow Orthodoxy.”