Metropolitan Feodor of Mukachevo explained the decisions of the UOC Council on full independence and called their misinterpretations a provocation

Metropolitan Feodor of Mukachevo and Uzhgorod issued a statement in which he explained in detail the decisions of the historic Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, held on May 27, 2022, in Kyiv’s Theophany Monastery. He emphasized that the initiative to hold the Council came exclusively from within the Church, and its decisions on full independence and autonomy are binding on all believers. The hierarch also called any other interpretations of these decisions «provocative and strange».

In his address, Vladyka Theodore recalled that the Council of the UOC is the highest governing body of the Church. All bishops, as well as delegates from the clergy, monks and laity of each diocese took part in its session chaired by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphrius of Kyiv and All Ukraine.

The Metropolitan paid special attention to the reasons for convening the Council. He categorically stated that it «was not the result of any external pressure or influence — neither political, nor social, nor any other.» According to him, the holding of the Council was a response to the «deep inner need» of the entire Church to discuss its future in the difficult circumstances in which Ukraine finds itself.

The bishop testified that the meeting in Theophany was held in a peaceful and fraternal atmosphere, where each delegate had full freedom to express his thoughts and proposals. «No one forced anyone to adopt a certain position or decision. Voting on all issues took place openly, honestly and voluntarily,» he emphasized, adding that he himself witnessed these events.

The key outcome of the Council was the confirmation that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is independent and autonomous. In addition, the participants unanimously and unanimously expressed their full loyalty and support to their Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry. According to Metropolitan Theodore, the decisions made are «a true manifestation of the cathedral will and spiritual unity».

In conclusion, the hierarch noted that all the decisions made in Theophany are «the cathedral voice of the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church,» and their fulfillment is obligatory for all its members. He expressed bewilderment over misinterpretations of the Council’s results and called everyone to unity in Christ.

Earlier Metropolitan of Cherkassy and Kanev Theodosius (Snigiryov) said 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».