Professor of Kyiv Theological Academy proposes temporary exarchate status for UOC

Doctor of Theology and Professor of the Kyiv Theological Academy Serhiy Bortnik proposed to introduce a temporary status of exarchate for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the omophorion of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In his opinion, such a step would allow the UOC to distance itself from the ROC, while avoiding immediate and forced unification with the OCU.

On the YouTube channel Viche, Serhiy Bortnik emphasized that there is currently no procedure by which the UOC could obtain a new status, especially given its reluctance to join the OCU. Bortnik emphasized that, «recognizing the OCU as a canonically recognized church,» he sees «many obstacles» that prevent the unification of church structures in Ukraine. He also spoke out against any violence, which he said is being observed in this process. In his opinion, the proposed temporary status will help find a way out of the current situation.

«I believe that an interim, temporary status should be introduced — perhaps the status of an exarchate for the UOC under the omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This would allow the UOC to move away from Moscow, on the one hand, and on the other hand, to avoid being forced to join the OCU, which already has recognition. I recognize that the OCU is a recognized church. But there are many obstacles for many people that prevent the unity and unification of church structures in Ukraine,» Bortnik said.

In conclusion, the professor expressed hope that over time the UOC will be able to «mature to change its status,» which in the future will open the way to a possible unification with the OCU, which already has the Tomos of autocephaly.

«I am against any violence that we see today in various forms. The UOC should be ripe for changing its status, and subsequently — for a possible unification with the OCU, as with the church that already has the status of autocephaly,» he added.

Earlier, the head of the OCU press service, Yevstratiy Zoria, sharply criticized the idea of creating a temporary exarchate of the Patriarchate of Constantinople for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. In his opinion, such a step is a disguised attempt to undermine and devalue the Tomos of autocephaly of the OCU, which ultimately «plays into Moscow’s hands and threatens the unity of world Orthodoxy.»