Priest Dimytriy Hnylosyr, who transitioned from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, said that he and his fellow priests had not been taught in the UOC (MP) “to be human”.
He noted on Facebook that after his transition, many of his friends and acquaintances who remained with the UOC (MP) started labeling him as “Judas”. However, he strongly denies such a comparison.
“Unlike Judas, I did not betray Christ. I wish to serve people, following the example of Jesus,” said father Dimitriy. He said that considering the full-scale war Russia is waging against Ukraine, he decided to join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Father Dimitriy emphasized that he and his fellow clerics had not been taught to be human in the UOC (MP), although they were taught many useful things.
“We were taught many correct things at the UOC. But they did not teach how to be a human being. Indeed, we easily anathematized an entire Christian community (the UOC KP, OCU, Patriarchate of Constantinople) only for ‘treason’ against Moscow, for violating one human rule (canon), but for no reason the UOC does not want to anathematize, no, at least break relations with or leave the Russian Orthodox Church for violating the commandment of God, for blessing the killing of us and our families… Where is the humanity here? One Pharisaism…” concluded the priest.
Analyzing the words of the priest who joined the OCU, we can confidently say that a split in the church is always a painful phenomenon. But sometimes it may be necessary if the church departs from fundamental Christian principles and ignores the crime of murder.
Denouncing someone as “Judas” because of the difference in administrative Orthodox centers is insulting and unethical. People have the right to self-determination.
Spiritual guidance is not infallible. It is also error-prone. The main thing in Christianity is following the example of Jesus Christ, his call to love and mercy.
To bless murder is incompatible with fundamental Christian values. Humanity and concern for the fate of others are central Christian virtues.
This case once again points to the deep transformations currently taking place in Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Many clergy and parishioners are joining the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, seeing it as an opportunity to serve believers more realistically in the conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
