UOC KP Hierarch Calls on UOC Believers to Unite to “Resist Complete Catholicization”

The head of the Odessa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, Nikon Hrabliuk, issued a public appeal to the clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, criticizing current trends in church life and calling for unity around the UOC KP. He published the text of his appeal on his Facebook page.

The hierarch recalled the decisions made at the meeting in Theophany, noting that they remained merely declarative. According to him, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has not only failed to achieve the expected independence but has also found itself in a state of spiritual isolation.

Hrabliuk also expressed critical views on recent changes in the OCU — particularly the switch to a new calendar and amendments to the liturgical statute. In contrast, he said, the Kyiv Patriarchate continues the “struggle to preserve the traditional statute, canons, and order of conducting services.”

“Only in unity can we resist the complete Catholicization of the Ukrainian nation. Only by uniting can we preserve the one Orthodox faith in which our ancestors were raised,” emphasized the hierarch, addressing the clergy and laity of the UOC with a call to join the Kyiv Patriarchate.

It is also worth noting that the well-known Greek theologian, sect expert, and monk of the monastery of St. Arsenius of Cappadocia in Halkidiki, Hieromonk Arsenios Vlagkoftis, expressed deep concern about the church situation in Ukraine. According to Father Arsenios, the OCU is a non-canonical structure, and its members are schismatics. He especially emphasized that it is extremely troubling to observe the rapprochement between the OCU and the Uniates and their joint celebration of services.