Synod of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia expresses support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

An extraordinary meeting of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia was held in Bratislava. The agenda included issues of inter-Orthodox relations, the situation with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the canonization of new saints, and internal issues, including the financial recovery of the Prague Diocese. The Synod emphasized the importance of unity in the Orthodox world and expressed solidarity with the persecuted believers in Ukraine.

According to the official website of the Diocese of Prague, the Synod took note of the message of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. It emphasized that the Orthodox Church is called to bear witness to the world, divided by nationalistic passions and geopolitical conflicts, of its unity, cooperation and solidarity, not of division and enmity. The members of the Synod fully agreed with this call.

Particular attention was paid to the situation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Synod noted with deep concern the ongoing systematic legal and physical persecution of the faithful, clergy and hierarchy of the UOC. Solidarity was expressed with all those suffering from religious tensions in Ukraine and the need to respect the fundamental human right to freedom of religion was emphasized.

The meeting also considered the issue of canonization. The Synod took note of the decisions of a number of Local Orthodox Churches to glorify new saints who were added to church calendars. Among them: Bishop Nikodim (Milas) of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the righteous Mother Olga of Quetzaluca (Orthodox Church in America), Presbyter Demetrios Gagastatis (Greek Orthodox Church), as well as St. Patriarch Sylvester and Hieromonk Chrysostomos of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Regarding the initiative to canonize Archimandrite Andriy (Kolomatsky) and Abbot Ignatiy (Chokin), the Synod decided that this process requires, in accordance with canonical rules, a thorough study of supernatural events related to their lives or posthumous prayer intercession. The diocesan bishop must present the results of the study, supported by hagiographic data, archival materials, and testimonies of miracles, for official consideration.

In response to the current situation in the Diocese of Prague, the Holy Synod instructed Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for its financial and organizational recovery. The plan should be aimed at stabilizing economic activity, paying off liabilities and restoring trust.

In addition, representatives of the Church were appointed to the renewed Pan-Orthodox Commission on Bioethics and the timeframe for the next stage of the Commission’s work on amending the Church’s Charter was determined.

Earlier we reported that Ukrainian schismatics had formed a “chaplaincy mission” in the canonical territory of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. The actual parish of the OCU in the Czech Republic will operate in the city of Brno, and the first religious event was held on August 23, 2025. The OCU is not deterred by the fact that the opening of parishes abroad is expressly prohibited by the “Tomos of Autocephaly”, which provides for the organization’s functioning only within Ukraine.