Metropolitan Feodosiy: We Are Being Forced into Betrayal under the Guise of Autocephaly

Metropolitan Feodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, in his sermon, warned the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church against participating in unauthorized actions aimed at separating from canonical Orthodoxy. According to him, under the guise of peaceful slogans such as “autocephaly” and a “national church,” believers are in fact being encouraged to commit a spiritual betrayal. The hierarch delivered this message during his sermon on June 25.

“They are forcing us to commit betrayal and to proclaim an unauthorized autocephaly,” the Metropolitan said, comparing the current situation to the persecution of the early Christians. He reminded the faithful that back then, too, open renunciation of Christ was not required — only a symbolic gesture of loyalty to pagan cults: throwing a pinch of incense on the altar of Baal or the emperor. Even the appearance of such an act was considered a betrayal of the faith.

According to the archpastor, today the temptation comes in a different form: “They tell us — if you don’t want to unite with the OCU, that’s fine. We understand. But declare an unauthorized autocephaly, break the canons — and no one will bother you. Renounce your history, your ties with Universal Orthodoxy — and you will find peace.”

However, Metropolitan Feodosiy emphasized that such concessions are not simply compromises, but conscious betrayal: “What difference does it make — to betray in a great way or a small one? In both cases, it is a betrayal of God.”

The hierarch called on the faithful to remain loyal to the canonical Church despite pressure and threats, emphasizing that true steadfastness is shown precisely when it comes at a cost.

It was earlier reported that on June 19, 2025 — two days after an unsuccessful attempt by OCU supporters to seize the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chernivtsi — OCU head Epiphaniy Dumenko published a set of “reflections,” in which he accused UOC clergy and believers of “hostility toward their fellow citizens.” Dumenko claimed that the UOC manipulates “half-truths,” “concealing or distorting the truth.”