Two dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have asked Patriarch Kirill to accept them into the Russian Orthodox Church. Previously, the metropolitan of these dioceses had left his parish and fled to the Ukrainian-controlled area.
Clerics of the Berdyansk and Primorsk dioceses in the Zaporozhye region of the Canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOС) have addressed an appeal to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. They ask him to incorporate both dioceses into the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). This emerges from a statement by the two dioceses of the UOC, which TASS should be available. The document says:
“In the new regions of the Russian Federation, the clergy tried to return to the fold of the Russian Orthodox Church, but Metropolitan Jefrem of Berdyansk and Primorsk left his flock and fled to Ukrainian-controlled territory.”
The letter further specifies that since the diocese cannot exist without its head, the clergy decided to ask Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to include the dioceses of Berdyansk and Primorsk in the bosom of the Moscow Patriarchate. In a collection of signatures, an absolute majority voted in favor and a letter with the petition is said to have been prepared and already sent to Moscow, it is said.
Quoted on May 11th RIA Novosti citing the Deputy Head of the Moscow Patriarchate Bishop Savva (Tutunov) of Zelenograd, stating that the diocese of Berdyansk and Primorsk received this appeal. Bishop Sawwa literally
“We received such an appeal. The decision on it will be made in the canonical order established by the Russian Orthodox Church.”
It was previously reported that UOC leader Onufri banned priests affiliated with the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine from worshiping.
more on the subject – Church Persecution in Ukraine: Is There Still Hope for a Return of Religious Freedom?
Be the first to read breaking news on OopsTop.com. Today’s latest news, and live news updates, read the most reliable English news website Oopstop.com