Onufriy, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, "did not bless" the clergy of the UOC-MP for participation in the Unification Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The Holy Synod of the UOC-MP made the decision at its meeting on December 7.
The Moscow Patriarchate stated that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew “had no right” to convene church meetings in Ukraine, while the unification council itself was allegedly illegal, “as representatives of schismatic groups would take part in it."
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"In this regard, the episcopate, the clergy, monks, and the laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church [of the Moscow Patriarchate] shall receive no blessing to participate in the so-called unification council," the Synod ruled.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on October 12, 2018, sent the Primate of the UOC MP, Onufriy, a letter, explaining the reasons for granting Ukraine Church autocephaly and calling on him to attend the unification council and reiterating his right to run for the top position in the new church.
