The Old Believers of Romania and Ukraine announced the restoration of communication

The Council of the Belokrinitsa Metropolia, held on October 23 in Braila (Romania) under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Leontii, adopted two key decisions concerning inter-church interaction. It was decided to resume prayerful communion with the Drevlepravoslav Church of Ukraine, and to refuse to meet with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Old Believers Church (ROCOR) because of its leader’s support of Russian aggression.

According to the Russian Faith website, the restoration of prayerful communion with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was based on a written petition from Archbishop Nicodemus of Kyiv and All Ukraine. This step marks an important stage in the relations between the two Old Believer jurisdictions.

At the same time, the Council of the Belokrinitskaya Metropolia expressed a strong refusal to hold any meetings with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church. The main reason for this decision was the support of the aggression of the Russian Federation by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Korniliy (Titov).

The official statement of the Sobor notes: “To consider any meeting of representatives of both Metropolises as unorthodox now, given the continuation of the ROCC’s ministry with non-canonical clerics, contrary to the long-standing appeals of the fraternal Belokrinitsky Metropolis.” This emphasizes the deep disagreements and the unreadiness of the Belokrinitsa Metropolia for dialogue in the context of the current political situation and issues concerning the canonicity of the ministry.