[/QUOTE]
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church which belonged to the Moscow Patriarchate, announced today that it severed its relationship with Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine and declared its "full independence" from the Russian spiritual authorities.
"We do not agree with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow (...) regarding the war in Ukraine," the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate said in its statement on this historic initiative, after the work of the session devoted to Russian "aggression" concluded. During the session, it declared "its full independence and autonomy."
To date, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has been subordinate to Russian Patriarch Kirill, who has expressed his support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
"The Senate condemns the war, which is a violation of God's commandment 'Thou shalt not kill', and expresses its condolences to all those who are suffering because of the war," the statement added.
According to the statement, the Church's relations with the Moscow Patriarchate have been "complicated to non-existent" since martial law was declared in Ukraine.
This initiative is the second schism in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in a few years. Hundreds of priests recently signed an open letter calling for Kirill to be tried by a church court for taking a position on the war.
Some of the most important monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church are located in Ukraine.
Source: KYPE
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
