The Diocesan Council of the Odessa Eparchy of the UOC supported the “Statement of the UOC Hierarchs”

On November 15, 2024, a meeting of the expanded diocesan council of the Odesa Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was held in Odesa. During the meeting, the clergy of the diocese considered the “Statement of the Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the actions of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in the direction of the dioceses of the UOC.” The clergy unanimously supported the position of Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail on this issue. This is reported by the Telegram channel of the Odesa Eparchy of the UOC.

«The Statement of the UOC bishops on the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church regarding the dioceses of the UOC located in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine was unanimously supported, the issue of mobilization of clergy during martial law was considered, the issue of the existence of the Church in difficult times of trials for our country was discussed, a plan of charitable activities in parishes in the near future and during the Christmas season to support the families of our defenders, internally displaced persons and people in need was approved,” says the Metropolitan of Odesa and All Odesa Eparchy.

As reported, on November 5 and 7, 2024, the Vinnytsia and Khmelnytsky dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held meetings of diocesan councils headed by the ruling bishops: Metropolitan Varsonofy of Vinnytsia and Bar and Metropolitan Victor of Khmelnytsky and Starokonstantinovka. The clergymen who participated in the events expressed support for the “Statement of the Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the actions of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in the direction of the dioceses of the UOC,” which was previously signed by these hierarchs.

Later, on November 12, 2024, a meeting of the diocesan council and local deans was held at the premises of the diocesan administration of the Voznesensk Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Among the topics discussed, those present drew attention to the “Statement of the Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the actions of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in the direction of the dioceses of the UOC,” which, among others, was also signed by Metropolitan Oleksiy of Voznesensk and Pervomaisk. The clergy supported the bishop’s position on this issue.