Patriarch Bartholomew calls on head of OCU to engage in dialogue with UOC to achieve unity

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople addressed the head of the OCU with an instruction to actively seek ways to bring the UOC hierarchs closer together through dialogue and the search for common ground to achieve unity. Seven years after the granting of the Tomos of autocephaly, the Patriarch emphasized the importance of efforts to achieve peace, condemned state interference in church affairs, and called for a rethinking of positions for the sake of general reconciliation.

According to the Greek website Fos Phanariou, Patriarch Bartholomew in his welcoming speech noted the «Saturday peace» of the structural renewal of the OCU. He recalled that seven years have passed since the Mother Church, «overcoming difficulties and pains, took responsibility for restoring the distorted church situation in Ukraine.»

The patriarch emphasized that in the Holy Church of Christ, «what has been done non-canonically cannot be a reliable basis for its legitimization and building healthy and secure structures.» He noted that the Phanar, «quiet, meek, modest and invisible, but strong in God’s truth and power,» has always advocated for healing and restoration of church order. Bartholomew assured that the motives of Constantinople were exclusively ecclesiastical, and not dictated by external expediency or frivolity, as is sometimes falsely claimed.

In his speech, the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople touched upon the delicate topic of the fullness of the ordinations of those who came from schisms, stating that this issue had long been resolved: «grace itself is sufficient, which mysteriously works in sacred concelebration.» He also criticized the «sense of self-sufficiency of the hierarchical majority» and the belief in their own superiority, which, according to him, did not become a good advisor in the development of events, as well as the «persistent refusal to accept the healing remedy of the ‘appellate’ responsibility of the Archbishop of Constantinople — to stitch up what is torn and raise what has fallen.»

He also appealed to the hierarchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to reconsider their position. Patriarch Bartholomew unequivocally condemned extremes, wherever they come from, and advised state authorities to refrain from interfering in internal church affairs.

Speaking directly to Epiphany Dumenko, Patriarch Bartholomew gave sincere instructions: «to completely exhaust yourself in the cause of peace; to go out to the squares and streets to invite the children of God to the meal of His Kingdom; to seek ways to approach fellow bishops in Ukraine (the hierarchs of the UOC — ed.) through dialogue and the search for common ground for unity; to educate the flock about the true aspects and manifestations of this cause.» He expressed confidence that Epifaniy’s experience will help to find a way out of the situation and show who really wants peace and who wants unwanted intolerance and unrest.

Earlier, the rector of the Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy, Archbishop Sylvester (Stoichev), commented on the validity of the priestly ordinations of the OCU representatives. The hierarch argues that the ordination of a significant part of the OCU ministers cannot be recognized due to canonical differences and the canonical practice of the Church. In addition, the bishop is convinced that the existence of the Tomos of autocephaly of the OCU can in no way be a reason to change the attitude to this issue.