The vicar of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Bishop Avraamiy of Boryspil (Orthodox Church of Ukraine), in an interview with Priamyi TV, expressed his opinion about possible changes in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate).
In his opinion, only a desire is needed for the UOC-MP to withdraw from further subordination to Moscow. Bishop Avraamiy emphasized: “You know, all they need is a desire – the main thing in every person’s life is desire, it can change everything, realize everything, but if this desire is not there, nothing will happen. And their leader – Metropolitan Onufriy, who had been shaped as part of pro-Moscow Orthodoxy, will never do any concessions, any negotiations.”
The bishop emphasized that under the leadership of Metropolitan Onufriy, no changes will take place in the UOC (MP). He also skeptically assessed the prospects for change should Metropolitan Antony (Pakanych) become Onufriy’s successor.
As to the possible unification of the churches, Avraamiy noted: “If we are talking about the Ukrainian wing and the Russian wing, then if someone from the Ukrainian side succeeds Metropolitan Onufriy, there will be certain hopes that the unification will take place. If we talk about the Russian wing, then of course these people will never go to negotiations under any circumstances.”
Despite the recent offer of dialogue from Metropolitan Epifaniy, Bishop Avraamiy does not expect a positive reaction from the UOC (MP). He concluded: “As we understand, there will be a thousand reasons why this dialogue will not take place, given their rhetoric, given their moods.”
