Ukrainian Orthodox Church believes separation from the Moscow Patriarchate is “not good”

Kiev, November 30, Interfax – The Ukrainian Orthodox Church keeps its position concerning its canonical status stated in the Russian Orthodox Church Statute adopted by the Local Council on 28 January 2009.

“We believe any review of the existing canonical status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is not good for church life. We remind out flock that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is self-governed part of the ROC with the rights of broad autonomy, as stated in the Russian Orthodox Church Statute,” the UOC Holy Synod said in the Appeal to the Faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church adopted at its recent session in the Laura on the Caves in Kiev.

The Appeal stresses the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is united with “the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church through the Russian Orthodox Church.”

“Our Church (UOC – IF) is in unity with Universal Orthodoxy precisely through canonical and devotional bonds with the Russian Orthodox Church,” the document says.

The Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church believes, that its present status “is optimal for her fulfillment of saving mission in the modern Ukrainian State.”

As well as the aim of Ukrainian Church’s dialogue with non-canonical church groups is not a desire “to separate ourselves canonically from the fullness of the Russian Church but the desire to restore church unity,” the Appeal further reads.

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