Head of ROC to Archbishop Chrysostomos: You are in communion with impostors

Epiphany Dumenko and Archbishop Chrysostomos. Photo: infonavigator.com.ua

Epiphany Dumenko and Archbishop Chrysostomos. Photo: infonavigator.com.ua

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, believes that having recognized the OCU, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, entered into communion with the impostors, reports Romfea publication.

Responding to the congratulations of Archbishop Chrysostomos on the occasion of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Patriarch Kirill noted that having recognized the OCU, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus neglected "the canonical Church of Ukraine, the Church of Martyrdom, proclaiming an illegal gathering of schismatics who are at war with Her" as his brothers and co-ministers.

The Primate of the Russian Church emphasized that “by the commemoration of Epiphany you let into communion the persons who did not have the gift of priestly dignity,” and recalled that Archbishop Chrysostomos and the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus in 2019 rightly expressed “doubts about the possibility of retroactively approving ordinations of the deposed, excommunicated and anathematized bishops."

He recalled that "a considerable part of the" bishops "of the so-called" Orthodox Church of Ukraine "you recognized were ordained not even by the anathematized but by impostors."

"Those 'hierarchs' were 'ordained' by the two persons who would perform initial ordinations, i.e. the deposed former bishop Ioann Bondarchuk and the former deacon Viktor Chekalin, a scheming opportunist, who was convicted of seducing minors and who never accepted an episcopal ordination from anyone. With a cramped heart, I think that now you are in communion with these people,” concluded Patriarch Kirill.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Patriarch Kirill called on Archbishop Chrysostomos to reconsider his recognition of the OCU.

Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom

Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."

Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot

The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.

Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.

Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children

“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.

His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv

At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.

Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects

According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.