UOC Metropolitan Filaret: Decisions of the Theophany Council were made without external pressure

The governor of the Lviv diocese of the UOC, Metropolitan Filaret of Lviv and Galicia, has issued a statement in which he categorically denied rumors about pressure on the participants of the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held in Theophany on May 27, 2022. According to him, the convocation of the Council was initiated by the clergy and laity, and its decisions are legitimate and binding for the entire fullness of the UOC.

Commenting on onlinediscussions about the allegedly non-canonical actions of the Council, Metropolitan Filaret, as its direct participant, emphasized that the initiative came «from below.» «It was we, on behalf of the laity and clergy, who appealed to His Beatitude Metropolitan with a request to convene the Councils,» he said. The role of the clergy of the Western dioceses, who sent to the Primate of the UOC a detailed appeal with a corresponding request, which was supported by their bishops, was especially emphasized.

Vladyka also rejected doubts about the legitimacy of the event, pointing out that the delegates were elected at Diocesan meetings. He recalled that the Council of Bishops has full executive and legislative power, and its decisions become binding on the entire Church immediately after being adopted. «Those who speak of the illegitimacy of the convocation of the Council are deeply mistaken,» the statement said.

According to the metropolitan, the atmosphere during the Council was filled with unity and enthusiasm. Participants were given full freedom of speech, and some representatives of clergy and laity expressed opinions that diverged from the position of their ruling bishops. The Hierarch also expressed full confidence in the position of the Primate of the UOC: «If there had been even the slightest, very minor influence from the outside, Metropolitan Onuphrius would never have convened the Council of the UOC».

In conclusion, Metropolitan Filaret explained that, unlike Ecumenical Councils, whose decisions are approved by subsequent Councils, the resolutions of the UOC Council come into force immediately after their signing and do not require any additional reception or approval in the future.

Earlier Metropolitan of Cherkassy and Kanev Theodosius (Snigiryov) stated that the Council in Theophany in 2022 was held under pressure from the secret services. The bishop noted that the hierarchs of the UOC were threatened by people «in shoulder straps» before participating in the council, demanding that they make «necessary decisions».