The UOC-KP creates vicariates on the basis of defrocked and banned clergy of various Local Churches

Former clerics of the Cypriot monastery of St. Avakum, who were defrocked by the decision of the Holy Synod, announced the creation of a vicariate on the island under the auspices of the so-called Kyiv Patriarchate. According to the Greek edition Orthodoxia.info, the transfer of the former monks to the new structure was another round of a protracted church conflict that caused a wide public outcry.

According to the documents signed on May 28 by the head of the structure, Nikodim Kobzar, former Archimandrite Nektarii Georgiou was appointed secretary of the newly created vicariate. The new organization was also joined by other former members of the brotherhood of St. Avakum Monastery and representatives of the parish of Archangel Michael.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop George, has previously sharply criticized the actions of the former monks. He warned that continuing anti-canonical activity could lead to their complete excommunication (anathema) and appealed to the Cypriot authorities to intervene in the situation. According to the Archbishop, the creation of such structures violates church discipline and undermines the foundations of canon law.

In response to these events, Nektarios Georgiou published a statement on social media, where he emphasized his commitment to the Orthodox faith. He stated that he did not recognize the decision to defrock him, considering them to be made in violation of the sacred canons and the established church order.

As reported, on May 31, 2026, the head of the UOC-KP, Nikodim Kobzar , officially accepted “Archbishop” Nicola (Nunzio) Rimaudo into the organization and announced the creation of a new church vicariate covering the territory of Italy and Portugal.