Yelensky plans to involve Patriarch of Constantinople in the process of recognizing OCU by Romanian Orthodox Church

The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, said that the Ukrainian side insists on establishing relations between the OCU and the Romanian Patriarchate. The purpose of mutual recognition is to include the Romanian-speaking parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the so-called Romanian vicariate of the OCU. Yelensky plans to involve diplomatic channels and even the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the process of mutual recognition between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the OCU. He said this in an interview with Glavkom.

«Our service has been approached by people who would like to create a structure of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. This issue has reached the interstate level. I have met twice with my Romanian counterpart, Ciprian Olinici, and we expect him in Kyiv in May. There is a certain discussion going on regarding the principle of functioning of autocephalous churches. In Ukraine, we talk about the principle of localism, and all Orthodox Christians who live in Ukraine go to a church called Ukrainian, Ukrainians, Romanians, and Gagauzes alike… In a letter sent to me by the Romanian patriarch, examples are given of the Romanian Orthodox Church creating its structures on the territory of some other local Orthodox churches-for example, its parishes exist in agreement with the Churches of Constantinople, Bulgaria, or Jerusalem. I emphasize that each time this happens in agreement with the relevant local church,» — the official said.

Yelensky added that the Romanian Patriarchate should coordinate its actions in Ukraine with the OCU. He expects this to be a step towards mutual recognition, and is even ready to involve Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in the process.

«We propose that the Romanian Orthodox Church also coordinate its position with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and there is an agreement that such consultations and negotiations will begin. This is a rather complicated process in which the Ecumenical Patriarch can also take part,» — added the head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience.

As reported, on November 7, 2024, a meeting of the Synod of the OCU was held in Kyiv. The organization criticized the attempts of the Romanian Patriarchate to create a parallel jurisdiction in Ukraine — the Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which, according to the Romanian Orthodox Church, should be joined by the parishes of the UOC in Bukovyna and Transcarpathia.