Metropolitan Agafangel confirmed the canonicity and legitimacy of the UOC Council in Theophany

Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail, a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, issued an official address in which he confirmed the full canonicity and legitimacy of the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held on May 27, 2022 in Kiev’s St. Panteleimon Monastery in Theophany. The hierarch emphasized that all decisions were made freely, without any external pressure, and were a reflection of the will of the episcopate, clergy and faithful.

In his statement, Vladyka Agafangel, as the oldest permanent member of the Synod and a direct participant in those events, referred to his many years of experience in serving the Church. He noted that the Council was a manifestation of sobornost — one of the key dogmatic properties of the Church, reflecting its comprehensive and unified nature in Christ.

The Metropolitan openly testified that the Council of 2022 was convened in strict compliance with all canonical rules and statutory norms of the UOC. According to him, it was an act of «free will of the people of God,» and the meeting was held in the spirit of peace and evangelical love, where each participant could freely express his or her opinion. He also recalled that the Council was preceded by diocesan meetings to elect delegates, and all final decisions were made by an absolute majority of votes.

Addressing all participants in the ongoing discussions around the decisions of the Council, Metropolitan Agafangel urged «to maintain mutual respect, to be judicious and unbiased in their statements and statements.» He reminded of the need to remain in peace, which the Lord commanded.

At the end of his address, the Vladyka expressed confidence that no trials can destroy the Holy Church, quoting the words of the Gospel: «and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it» (Matthew 16:18). The hierarch offered prayers for the Ukrainian people and state, wishing them «through darkness to go to the light, through suffering — to the resurrection and through trials — to the victory of good over evil».

Earlier, Metropolitan of Cherkasy and Kanev Theodosius (Snigiryov) said that the Council in Theophany in 2022, was held under pressure from intelligence 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».