Greek theologian criticizes statements about "full independence" of UOC from Moscow Patriarchate

Greek theologian and hieromonk Nikitas Pantokratorinos has harshly criticized the leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. According to the expert, a few years after the Council in Feofania, the canonical status of this religious structure remains uncertain, and the claims of its full independence have no legal confirmation in the Orthodox world.

Hieromonk Mykytas drew attention to the recent statements of the UOC hierarch, Archbishop Sylvester (Stoichev), about the “full independence” of the Church. The theologian emphasizes that these statements do not answer the key question about the legitimate status of the structure. He recalls that the UOC did not receive the Tomos of autocephaly and did not join another jurisdiction.

The publication emphasizes that the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) itself continues to consider Metropolitan Onufriy its canonical hierarch, and changes to the UOC statute, according to Moscow’s position, had to go through the approval procedure in the ROC. “In practice, the problem is becoming even more serious. Despite declarations of independence, many bishops and priests continue to commemorate Patriarch Kirill,” the author emphasizes, pointing to the preservation of liturgical ties with the ROC.

According to the Greek theologian, the current rhetoric of the UOC leadership is an attempt at “political survival” in Ukrainian society, rather than a clear ecclesiastical and theological step. The author also expressed his disappointment with the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which, in his words, “actually defends the interests of Moscow under the pretext of protecting the canonical church.” In conclusion, the hieromonk reminded that the only structure with a clearly defined status in the country is the OCU, which received autocephaly from the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Earlier, Archbishop Sylvester of Bila Tserkva, rector of the Kyiv Theological Schools, gave a detailed analysis of the canonical status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) on the fourth anniversary of the Council in Feofaniya. The hierarch emphasized that the UOC functions as a completely independent structure, while maintaining Eucharistic communion with most of the Local Churches of the world.