Ukrainian Orthodox body stops short of full break with Moscow
June 02, 2025
» Continue to this story on AsiaNews
CWN Editor's Note: The Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has voted not to seek autocephalous (self-governing) status, keeping intact a historical tie to the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow.
Last month Metropolitan Onufry, the primate of the UOC, text said that “we are no longer part of the Moscow patriarchate.” But the synod failed to approve a move toward autocephaly, with a large number of bishops indicating that desire to remain in communion with the “mother church,” despite bitter disagreement over the Moscow patriarchate’s support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Largely because of its ties to Moscow, since the war began the UOC has lost many parishes to the rival Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The UOC has also faced heavy pressure and repressive regulations from the Ukrainian government.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
