Isn't it time to dot the i's and cross the t's?

The administrator of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), decided to continue his battle with the “Sophia Brotherhood.” After the Brotherhood responded to his first text with criticism of the Metropolitan’s activities, the hierarch decided to go further and chose a strategy that is unlikely to be successful.

First of all, the very fact that the second most important person in the Church resorts to such discussions via the Internet indicates the systemic crisis that has developed in the Church in recent years. What used to be resolved with a “call from Kyiv” is now effectively out of control. Although the “Sophia Brotherhood” complains that they are under pressure from the ruling bishops, this is not actually true. The organization, taking advantage of its high-ranking “protection” in the DESS and SBU, almost immediately became autonomous, and every “brother” belonging to the UOC knows for sure that the ruling bishops, like the metropolis, can only pour salt on their tails.

That is why, instead of resolving issues with the arrogant priests of the “brotherhood” in a substantive manner, the bishops of the UOC have to demonstrate their attitude towards this organization and its members through hints and via the Internet. For example, recently, no decree has been published prohibiting the ministry of UOC priests who are members of the “brotherhood” and have transferred to the OCU. None of them had previously been deprived of their rectorate or even reprimanded for their destructive and provocative actions, which is what the organization is engaged in.

The second thing that catches the eye is the categorical position of Metropolitan Anthony, which can be summed up in one sentence: the bishop is worthy of respect and cannot be criticized simply because he is a bishop. Of course, we in no way encroach on the episcopal dignity of any active bishop of the Church. However, it is worth acknowledging the human factor, which is expressed in the fact that there are bishops in the UOC who sympathize with the ideas of the “Sophia Brotherhood” and share the opinion that agreeing to the state’s conditions and later uniting with the OCU is the only way out of the current church crisis in Ukraine. Yes, they do not always speak about this directly, but it exists, and with all due respect to Metropolitan Anthony, we cannot ignore this fact.

Naturally, it is impossible not to react to such actions by individual representatives of the episcopate and clergy of the UOC. However, what should the reaction be? In our opinion, it should be evangelical. The Holy Scriptures tell us that woe to those through whom temptation comes. And what is happening in the “Sophia Brotherhood” — meaning the presence in the organization of priests of the UOC who are opposed to their own Church — is precisely such a temptation. For other clergy. For the laity. Therefore, it would be better not to engage in a correspondence debate with them, but to ask each of them directly: are you with the UOC or not? If you are with the UOC, return to fulfilling your oath, adhere to the canonical order of the Church, and do not play into the hands of the OCU, since they have already made it clear that it will be either their way or no way. If not, then join the OCU and do not outrage the church community with your actions.

The same applies to the bishops. Soon, on August 17, the episcopate of the UOC will gather in connection with the next anniversary of the enthronement of the Primate of the UOC. It seems to us that this is an opportunity that can be used to ask questions that have long been on everyone’s mind to those who have an “alternative vision” of the development of the UOC after August 18, when the DESS requirement comes into force.

We believe that this would be honest and evangelical: yes, yes! No, no! Enough of testing God’s patience! Until the UOC cleanses itself from within, we will continue to live in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion, waiting and calculating who will be the next to rise up against the unity of the Church. The Lord, who sent us these trials, gave us the opportunity to expel from the UOC everything that is alien to the Church’s identity. Not to use such a moment for self-purification would be a crime on our part.