Metropolitan Luke called on UOC priests to determine their position in the Church

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol addressed the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, urging them to determine their position regarding loyalty to the Church. He emphasized that clergy who have taken an oath of fidelity to the canonical order cannot allow themselves to publicly attack bishops and fellow priests, since such behavior leads to schism and undermines the trust of the faithful. The address was published on Metropolitan Luke’s Telegram channel.

“When a priest who has taken an oath of loyalty to the canonical order of the Church begins to behave as if he is above the bishop, above the Council, above the canon — this is no longer freedom in Christ, but a path of self-will, which always leads to schism,” the Metropolitan noted.

He urged priests to clearly answer the question of their belonging to the UOC: “Today, every such priest must be asked clearly and directly: Are you with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which gave birth to you, or not? If with the UOC — return to the fulfillment of your oath… But if not — have the courage to show your true position, announce it openly, and stop disturbing the church people.”

Metropolitan Luke stressed that the priesthood is not a privilege, but a cross that requires obedience: “We must remember that rebellion against hierarchy for the sake of ‘one’s own truth’ always turns into rebellion against Christ.” He used the image of a ship in a storm where each sailor decided to become captain: “While they argue, the ship sinks. Beloved, we are all on the same ship — the UOC. And if we pull the rudder in different directions, we will drag into the abyss not only ourselves, but also those who have entrusted us with their lives and eternity.”

Concluding his address, the hierarch called the clergy to unity: “Enough arguing over the helm — let us all take up the oars. One ship, one way, one Captain — Christ. And let each of us today answer before God — not with words, but with deeds: am I with the Church? or with those who betray it?”

Earlier, we reported that Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia commented on the actions of officials who, despite being aware of the UOC’s documents, continue to demand confirmation of already established facts. According to him, for some people, the truth does not matter — fabricated “expert examinations” and propaganda pressure aimed at discrediting the Church are more important. He compared such actions to the behavior of the Pharisees, who sought to destroy any evidence of good deeds.