The clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate) called on its superior, Metropolitan Onufriy, and the Holy Synod to resolutely distance themselves from the clerics, who collaborated with the enemy, condemning their actions, and after a detailed review of all the circumstances, to apply to them the appropriate forms of canonical bans.
This is stated in the appeal by the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church regarding manifestations of collaborationism among priests in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, published on social media.
“The time of great trials that befell our people did not shake their faith in justice and victory over a vicious enemy who seeks to wipe Ukraine off the face of the Earth at any cost, even destroying the memory of it in the hearts of millions of our compatriots.
Side by side in this struggle for freedom and independence stand the faithful sons and daughters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, defending their Motherland from the ruscist invaders, the new vandals of the 21st century, who, having lost the image and likeness of God, have appropriated to themselves a special ‘mission of liberators’ in the struggle with the mythical ‘powers of evil’ created by their sick imagination, attacking the most valuable gift of God – human life.
The Church blessed its believers for military feat against the occupiers. Through the efforts of its clergy, it deals with the spiritual care for our soldiers, and organizes concerned laymen to provide humanitarian aid to all vulnerable.
However, unfortunately, recently we have all witnessed the disgraceful behavior of some UOC clerics, both priests and bishops, who, under the conditions of the temporary occupation, showed their true inner self, eagerly siding with the invaders and serving their imperial ambitions.
With great indignation, the Ukrainian Orthodox community received the news that a whole ‘delegation from the liberated (!!!) districts of Zaporizhia region… representatives of three dioceses – Zaporizhia, Berdyansk, and Nova Kakhovka’ had arrived in annexed Sevastopol to celebrate the Baptism of Russia.
The odious UOC priest from the city of Hola Prystan, Gennady Shkil, who ominously described Ukraine as a ‘failed project’ and called for unity with the occupier, became a participant in the Kherson Sabbath ‘ Together with Russia.’
Metropolitan Yelisey (Ivanov) of Izium and Kupiansk openly took the path of collaborationism and support of the occupation ‘authorities,’ blessing the head of the occupation ruscist administration in Kharkiv region, traitor Ganchev. Thus, Oleg Ivanov (part-time Metropolitan of Izyum) exposed himself as a cynical conformist and a moral bastard who only seeks his own benefit, failing to work for the good of the flock entrusted to him.
To this list, it is worth adding the cooperation of UOC bishops located in the territory beyond Ukraine’s control, with the authorities of quasi-formations such as the ‘LPR/DPR,’ as well as conformism and collaborationism of ordinary clergymen in the occupied regions of our country.
The last straw was the information about the participation of UOC clerics (priests and monks) in the temporarily occupied territories in pseudo-referenda for ‘accession to Russia’ and their calls for ‘unification with the brotherly people in a single country.’
We express our hope that the relevant law enforcement and security agencies will give a proper assessment of the actions of Putin’s henchmen and traitors of the Ukrainian people.
For our part, we categorically condemn those in the sacred rank, who with their words and actions betrayed the faith, Church, and people of Ukraine: ‘They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.’ (1 John 2:19).
At the same time, we are extremely confused by the lack of any reaction from the UOC leadership regarding the collaborationism of our clergy, who dishonor millions of faithful of our Church by their actions. Not a single word was uttered by the heads of dioceses to condemn such blatantly treasonous intentions and actions. None of the bishops gave an assessment of the conformist behavior of the collaborating bishops. The head of the Synodal Information and Educational Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who, it would seem, should have been the first to respond to such extraordinary events in the life of our Church, offers no explanation. The head of the legal department does not comment on their actions either. Such ‘apologists of canonicity’ as the SPZh and First Kozatsky outlets are silent. Without an appropriate ‘material source’ of inspiration, NGO Myriany doesn’t hold rallies or processions.
Therefore, these days, when the entire Ukrainian nation is filled with grief for innocently killed civilians and murdered prisoners of war at the hands of the occupiers, we call on the Primate and the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to raise their voice in defense of the authority of the Church, to resolutely distance themselves from such clerics, condemning their actions, and after a detailed study of all the circumstances, apply to them the appropriate forms of canonical prohibitions.
This would be a true testimony that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church remains an integral part of the Ukrainian people and is ready to share its fate.
God is with us!”
