Religious scholar calls discussion of UOC autocephaly 'staged to distract attention'

Oleksandr Sagan, a lobbyist for the interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, head of the department of religious studies at the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commented on the absentee discussion between the hierarchs of the UOC on the possible autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has recently unfolded in social networks. Sagan believes that these disputes may be a «carefully orchestrated performance», the key players in which are Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), the UOC’s chief of staff, and Archbishop Silvester (Stoychev), the rector of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to the religious scholar, this allows us to talk about the creation of a «controlled opposition» to imitate internal reforms and neutralize the real pro-Ukrainian movement in the church. About this Sagan wrote in his Facebook account.

«And who do we have at the head of the opposition? Yes, the faithful child of Metropolitan Anthony Pakanich, who after «irreconcilable» discussions with the chief goes to his place of worship, where then, over tea, they discuss further «uncompromising battles» about church canons.
In the language of the security services, this is called «controlled opposition» (so that «uncontrolled» opposition does not suddenly appear). And people say more simply — «when a drunkenness (event) cannot be stopped — it must be led». In other words, Archbishop Sylvester Stoychev, rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary of the UOC-MP, Archbishop Sylvester Stoychev, has joined the tough opposition and confrontation with the «pro-Russian party» in the UOC-MP, which is headed by one of the most influential «gray cardinals» and manager of the affairs of this church, Metropolitan Anthony Pakanich of Boryspil. Today, he has the role of ‘irreconcilable oppositionist’ and head of the ‘pro-autocephalous (but, note — not pro-Ukrainian) party in the UOC-MP‘,» Sagan writes.

According to the PCU lobbyist, the ongoing discussion is a classic example of creating a «controlled opposition». The goal of such a strategy is to lead an inevitable process in order to control it. By initiating and controlling the discussion on autocephaly, the leadership of the UOC can «direct it in a direction that is safe for itself, divert the attention of society and the authorities from the real ties with Moscow,» and prevent the emergence of an uncontrolled movement for the independence of the Church. In addition, Sagan claims that the dependence of the KDAiS rector on the UOC administration is indicated by their long-standing cooperation and Archbishop Sylvester’s de facto dependence on Metropolitan Anthony.

«Throughout the entire period of work at the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary of the UOC-MP, Bishop Sylvester Stoychev has always been the most loyal supporter and assistant to his patron and curator Metropolitan Anthony Pakanich, who in fact (and many people write about it) continues to manually manage the affairs of this educational institution. So, how seriously can Archbishop Sylvester be taken as the new «leader of the pro-autocephalous party», or the recent appearance of polemics on Facebook on the topic of autocephaly between the leader of the «pro-Russian party» and manager of affairs of the UOC-MP Metropolitan Anthony Pakanich and his protégé? Given their longstanding close ties and even the dependence of Archbishop Sylvester on Metropolitan Anthony, this strange ‘polemic’ is very reminiscent of a pre-arranged and played for the outside public (authorities and society) performance to distract attention,» he added.

Earlier, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphrius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, published an address on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, held on May 27, 2022 in Theophany. The Primate emphasized that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has all the attributes of an independent structure, and therefore expects that this state of the UOC will be supported by the Local Churches.