Metropolitan of the UOC Theodosius: "I am categorically opposed to the peacemaking in Kiev"

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Theodosiy (Snigiryov) of Cherkasy and Kanev, has said that he opposes the decision of the 2022 Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Theofaniya to resume the practice of Mirarovation in Kiev. The hierarch argues that Mirarovanie is the prerogative of exclusively autocephalous Churches, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not have such a status. He stated in a podcast for the YouTube channel “DNA”.

“I am categorically opposed to the secularization in Kiev. Moreover, I was a temporary member of the Holy Synod when this issue was adopted and voted against it. Subsequently, according to the regulations of the Holy Synod, I submitted an explanatory note where I detailed my position, explaining why I voted against myrovarians. Why do I oppose world creation? Because our Church today is not autocephalous, and the endowment is an unconditional attribute of an autocephalous Church. It is not just a sacramental action or a sacrament, it is an attribute of the autocephalous Church,” the Metropolitan noted.

The bishop noted that the myrrhagogy performed in the UOC is not in itself unblessed, however, from the point of view of the canons of the Church, such actions can be protested by the Cyriarchal Church. According to Metropolitan Theodosius, the Kyiv Metropolis could at least discuss such an issue with the Moscow Patriarchate.

“Yes, if we approach the question from the point of view of pure experimentation, that is, sacramentality and the sending down of God’s grace through myrrh on people in the sacraments of anointing or at the consecration of churches, then, of course, myrrhization can be performed by any bishop. Moreover, a bishop may not make myrrh, but by the laying on of hands may administer the sacrament of anointing over a newly baptized person. Myro can indeed be made by any bishop. Just as any two bishops can ordain a new bishop. Would the ordination of a third bishop by two other bishops be legitimate and gracious? Yes, it would. But what if they are not in agreement? Suppose I in my diocese of Cherkassy, having two vicars, take them and start ordaining all the monastic clergy serving in my diocese. Will these ordinations be gracious? Will these archimandrites and hieromonks become bishops after laying on our hands and reciting the appropriate prayers? Yes, they will. Will they be canonically recognized? Will they be considered canonical bishops? No. They will be children of disobedience. And at the first opportunity, the Holy Synod will forbid them from serving as children of disobedience. As for the worldview, this is the prerogative of the autocephalous Church. Moreover, it is well known that a number of autocephalous Churches do not brew myrrh themselves, but humbly receive it from one of the historical Patriarchates, in particular, from the Patriarch of Constantinople. Therefore, from my point of view, which I set forth in an analytical note for the Holy Synod, it is not quite correct to assign this right to the Kiriarchy on its own, without the blessing of the Kiriarchy. At the very least, this should have been discussed. And most importantly, there is no practical need for this. This is my position: I believe that it should not have been done,” he added.

Recall that on May 27, 2022, the Council of the UOC decided to resume the production of Peace in Kiev at a time of full autonomy and independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.