The ROC Synod Appoints a New Bishop for the Berdyansk Diocese in Territory Not Controlled by Ukraine

On May 15, 2025, a regular meeting of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church was held at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow under the chairmanship of Patriarch Kirill. One of the decisions was the appointment of a new bishop for the Berdyansk Diocese, which covers areas of Zaporizhzhia region currently outside the control of the Ukrainian government. The results of the Synod were published on the official ROC website.

Bishop Peter of Zlatoust and Satka was appointed the new ruling hierarch of the Berdyansk and Prymorsk Diocese. He was released from his previous post, and temporary administration of the Zlatoust Diocese was entrusted to the head of the Chelyabinsk Metropolis.

Additionally, in accordance with a previous Synod decision dated March 12, 2024, Bishop Peter was temporarily assigned to oversee the parishes and monasteries of the Zaporizhzhia Diocese in the territories of Veselivskyi, Kamianka-Dniprovska, Melitopol, and Mykhailivskyi districts, as well as the cities of Melitopol and Enerhodar.

It is worth noting that Archbishop Nicodemus (Pustovgar), Vicar of the Chernihiv Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, expressed outrage, stating that Patriarch Kirill has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the UOC, especially concerning the appointment or removal of bishops. According to him, such matters are strictly within the competence of the UOC Synod.