Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich): The idea of an "exarchate" in Ukraine is a departure from the truth

Metropolitan of Boryspil and Brovary Antony (Pakanich), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s administrator of affairs, has made a statement regarding discussions on the future of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The hierarch warned the faithful against the idea of joining the “exarchate” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, calling it a path to temptation and a departure from canonical truth.

According to the Metropolitan, in the conditions of continuing pressure on the Church, various variants of its “arrangement” are being promoted in the information space, including the creation of a “temporary exarchate” of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on the territory of Ukraine. He noted that when discussing such issues, many focus on politics, culture or jurisdictions, losing sight of the main, doctrinal aspect.

“Once again it is important to emphasize: we cannot accept any structure calling itself “church” if this structure does not have canonically legitimate chiarotonies of clergy, which means there is no apostolic succession, no Holy Spirit,” Metropolitan Anthony said. He stressed that the recognition of such structures by Constantinople does not grant them grace and canonical status.

The hierarch believes that those who propose to “save” the Church through joining an exarchate, are either mistaken or “consciously trying to lead people into temptation.” He recalled the words of the Holy Martyr Ignatius the Theotokos: “Do not be deceived, my brothers, whoever follows the one who introduces schism will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

In conclusion, Metropolitan Anthony expressed confidence that the Church people would not accept such a step, just as they had not previously accepted Unia or Renewalism. “The Church cannot be saved by apostasy from the truth,” he declared. In his opinion, the very idea that people can “save” the Church, is absurd, “because it is not we who save the Church, but the Church saves us.” The way of believers, he said, is to stand in truth, love for God and neighbor, and not to seek compromise at the cost of betrayal.

Earlier, the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Silvester (Stoychev), published an article in which he described his own vision of the development of the UOC in the near future. According to the bishop, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church needs to move away from the isolationist policy chosen by the Moscow Patriarchate and resume dialog with the See of Constantinople in order to find ways to resolve the church conflict in Ukraine.