In Chernihiv, Bishop of the UOC Nikodim participated in a joint ecumenical prayer

This year’s Easter celebration in Chernihiv became a significant event that attracted the attention of the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: Bishop Nikodim of Chernihiv Diocese of the UOC attended a joint ecumenical prayer together with representatives of the OCU, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and Protestant communities. The prayer gathering took place in the Trinity Cathedral and was presented as a gesture of «spiritual unity» in support of peace in Ukraine. This was reported by the source “CHEline.TV”.

Religious scholar Serhii Shumylo commented on the event:

“Chernihiv is setting an example of ecumenism… The bishops of the OCU (Antonii) and the UOC (Nikodim), together with clergy from the UGCC, RCC, and Protestant churches, held a joint ecumenical prayer service in the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral on the occasion of the Resurrection of Christ. Instead of hostility — an interesting experience of developing ecumenical dialogue, which has a future. Particularly symbolic given the Easter holiday, which this year is celebrated jointly by Christians of the East and West.”

It should be noted that religious scholar and OCU advocate Oleksandr Brodetskyi claims the UOC is moving closer to the OCU whenever UOC churches are seized. He argues that the creation of a unified structure is “logical and correct,” and that the UOC must “come to its senses” and acknowledge the OCU, which is recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.