The Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church, the so-called exarch of the Moscow Patriarch in Africa, Leonid (Gorbachev), reminded the UOC MP that they cannot change their statute without first agreeing the move with the Russian Church.
Gorbachev said this in an interview with the Russian media, reports the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate.
“Until there is a decision from Moscow, no such statement has any legitimacy. At most, they are provoking the flock to split,” Gorbachev said.
He also expressed his understanding of the UOC MP, which, in his opinion, is under pressure from the “nationalist element, the Security Service of Ukraine, and other structures.”
“But on the other hand, sometimes silence is gold because some statements betray Christ. In my opinion, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church clearly and vividly stated that no such statements about ‘complete independence’ can be acceptable. If the Ukrainian Orthodox Church deems it necessary to change something, considering it insufficient to receive the relevant Charter (on independence and autonomy in management – ed.) from the hands of Patriarch Alexy II, then they should submit a corresponding request in the name of […] Patriarch Kirill and the Holy Synod of the Church,” said the Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church.
It should be recalled that Leonid (Gorbachev) pursues the efforts to sow a split in Africa, and wants to build an administrative center in New Cairo.
