METROPOLITAN ALEXANDER DRABINKO of the UOC MP:
Patriarch Bartholomew's letter to Metropolitan Onufry and the Unifying Council (Interview)
Patriarch Bartholomew's letter to Metropolitan Onufry and the Unifying Council (Interview)
On October 12, Patriarch Bartholomew wrote a letter to the head of the
UOC-MP, Metropolitan Onufry, whom he addressed as the "Metropolitan of
Kiev". An unofficial translation of this document on December 6 on its
Facebook page was posted by Metropolitan Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky and
Vishnevsky of the UOC Alexander (Drabinko).
The document is extremely interesting at once for several reasons - not only the addresses used by the Ecumenical Patriarch, but, above all, its main content. The letter of the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople raises questions of the history and canonicity of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and also gives an explanation of the latest decisions of Constantinople on the "Ukrainian issue".
With a request to clarify some details of this appeal, as well as to share a forecast regarding the upcoming "Unification" Council, which will be held on December 15 in St. Sofia Cathedral, Kyiv, UAportal and Tatyana Gayzhevskaya turned last week to Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko).
The document is extremely interesting at once for several reasons - not only the addresses used by the Ecumenical Patriarch, but, above all, its main content. The letter of the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople raises questions of the history and canonicity of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and also gives an explanation of the latest decisions of Constantinople on the "Ukrainian issue".
With a request to clarify some details of this appeal, as well as to share a forecast regarding the upcoming "Unification" Council, which will be held on December 15 in St. Sofia Cathedral, Kyiv, UAportal and Tatyana Gayzhevskaya turned last week to Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko).
- What is the main purpose of this document and will it be achieved?
- There are several conclusions that can be drawn from this document.
It clearly articulates the position of the Ecumenical Patriarch in relation to Ukraine, in relation to the hierarchs of both the current canonical structure, headed by Metropolitan Onufry, and other hierarchs, who in fact, as stated in the document, were restored in their holy dignity.
The document says that the decision on the full canonical independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy has already been made. In fact, it is said that autocephaly will be full, and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will be an equal sister among other local Orthodox Churches.
In this way, numerous speculations are anticipated, which we observed en masse for several days in a row after the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople — when they said that it would be an exarchate, that they would send some “Varyag” on the part of the primate, that the primate would be appointed from the outside and not elected from their bishops.
Not. The text of the document states that the Metropolitan Onufry, who is invited by Patriarch Bartholomew to be a member of this Council, can also be elected as the Primate of the new Ukrainian canonical Church. That is - a gesture of invitation.
At the same time, Patriarch Bartholomew says that he recognizes Ukraine as his canonical territory, since it is he who invites this Council. And it is clear that the primate elected at the Council will be recognized as the sole legitimate metropolitan of Kiev, which is also stated in the document. But at the present time I do not know whether any decisions on the part of Constantinople with respect to those clerics who will not fulfill the blessings of Patriarch Bartholomew and will not come to this Council.
- Does this mean that the likelihood of Metropolitan Onufriy’s participation in the Extraordinary and Constituent Council increases substantially?
- As I understand it, at this moment a meeting of the Holy Synod is taking place in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and we will know about it today.
- Concerning the Unification Councill itself ...
- It is not so much unifying, as constitutive. He is called upon to create a single church in Ukraine and overcome the schism. The document says so. This is the only means by which today it is possible to achieve Orthodox unity in Ukraine.
- The fact that Patriarch Filaret will not claim to be the head of the new Church will also contribute to the restoration of unity?
- I think yes. But, probably, it is necessary to take into account the wishes of Patriarch Bartholomew, who probably sent a letter of similar content to Patriarch Philaret. As far as I know, such letters were received, indicating their status, in which they are recognized by Constantinople, by both Patriarch Philaret and Metropolitan Macarius. And in this letter addressed to Metropolitan Onuphrius, he calls Patriarch Filaret "the former Metropolitan of Kiev", and Metropolitan Macarius - "the former Archbishop of Lviv." These are very important messages.
- How long will the Council meet?
- I think that the Council will meet for several hours, and everything will be completed within one day or faster. Since the questions as such are already clear to everyone. There is tomos. On the basis of Tomos, provisions are already written that will need to be taken into account and included in our Charter, which we will have to adopt at this Council.
I think the text of the Charter is also already developed by canonists. The basis can be taken from the Charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Charter of the Kyiv Patriarchate - any charter. But in principle, it will be possible to work on it in the future.
What happens at the Council? The exarch, who presides over this Council, reads the agenda and the regulations, which, as I understand it, Patriarch Bartholomew should bless. Voiced by the act of proclaiming the Church. This document is signed by all participants of the Council and is a kind of Declaration.
Most likely, then the Charter of the church will be adopted. And then, according to this Statute, the Primate was elected.
- Do you think that the election of the Primate will not take much time?
- I do not see any particular problems that may arise in the matter of electing the Primate. Everyone, going to the Cathedral, has already made a choice for himself. It will take an hour and a half or even less to vote. Since I was a participant in the election of two Primates — both the current Patriarch Cyril, and the Most Blessed Metropolitan Onufriy — I have a certain practice and experience of participating in such events. First, a list of all the bishops of this Council is compiled, the first round of voting takes place ...
- Will you be on this list?
- If I am a member of the Council, then yes. If such a procedure is adopted. Voting takes place, three people are elected, to whom the Council has expressed the greatest confidence. Of these three, in the second round, the Primate is elected. Everything is quite simple. No debate or struggle is expected. We are not in the ring.
There should be no self-nominations, no debates on candidates. All preliminary discussions should remain outside the Hagia Sophia. All come with their opinion already formed. And in the spirit of peace and love, relying on the Will of God, there is a conciliar will.
- That is, theoretically, and you can become the head of this Church?
- Theoretically, if the Council manifests the desire and there will be the confidence of the episcopate and the believers, anything is possible.
- But you have already decided for yourself who you will vote for?
- With whom I would vote, I decided. And it's not me (laughs).
- The head of the Verkhovna Rada, Andrei Paruby, proposed to transfer the church of Saint Sophia to the new local church. How do you feel about this?
- I would not say that it needs to be transmitted. The church has never actually ceased to be a church. Another question is that this temple may be titular for the Primate of a new Church, or the Cathedral.
Firstly, it is incompatible. Secondly, it is a monument of architecture that requires careful treatment. Of course, it is absolutely necessary that worship be held in it. Perhaps for the most solemn occasions - prayers, inaugurations, enthronements. Perhaps even the Liturgy on Sundays and on great holidays. Naturally, in compliance with the necessary measures for the preservation of the shrine.
But, as it seems to me, he should not cease to be both an active temple and a museum. Here it is possible to find the right solution so that the cultural and historical heritage of our church and country will not be damaged.
Source: https://www.uaportal.com/…/pismo-varfolomeya-onufriyu-i-obe- There are several conclusions that can be drawn from this document.
It clearly articulates the position of the Ecumenical Patriarch in relation to Ukraine, in relation to the hierarchs of both the current canonical structure, headed by Metropolitan Onufry, and other hierarchs, who in fact, as stated in the document, were restored in their holy dignity.
The document says that the decision on the full canonical independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy has already been made. In fact, it is said that autocephaly will be full, and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will be an equal sister among other local Orthodox Churches.
In this way, numerous speculations are anticipated, which we observed en masse for several days in a row after the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople — when they said that it would be an exarchate, that they would send some “Varyag” on the part of the primate, that the primate would be appointed from the outside and not elected from their bishops.
Not. The text of the document states that the Metropolitan Onufry, who is invited by Patriarch Bartholomew to be a member of this Council, can also be elected as the Primate of the new Ukrainian canonical Church. That is - a gesture of invitation.
At the same time, Patriarch Bartholomew says that he recognizes Ukraine as his canonical territory, since it is he who invites this Council. And it is clear that the primate elected at the Council will be recognized as the sole legitimate metropolitan of Kiev, which is also stated in the document. But at the present time I do not know whether any decisions on the part of Constantinople with respect to those clerics who will not fulfill the blessings of Patriarch Bartholomew and will not come to this Council.
- Does this mean that the likelihood of Metropolitan Onufriy’s participation in the Extraordinary and Constituent Council increases substantially?
- As I understand it, at this moment a meeting of the Holy Synod is taking place in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and we will know about it today.
- Concerning the Unification Councill itself ...
- It is not so much unifying, as constitutive. He is called upon to create a single church in Ukraine and overcome the schism. The document says so. This is the only means by which today it is possible to achieve Orthodox unity in Ukraine.
- The fact that Patriarch Filaret will not claim to be the head of the new Church will also contribute to the restoration of unity?
- I think yes. But, probably, it is necessary to take into account the wishes of Patriarch Bartholomew, who probably sent a letter of similar content to Patriarch Philaret. As far as I know, such letters were received, indicating their status, in which they are recognized by Constantinople, by both Patriarch Philaret and Metropolitan Macarius. And in this letter addressed to Metropolitan Onuphrius, he calls Patriarch Filaret "the former Metropolitan of Kiev", and Metropolitan Macarius - "the former Archbishop of Lviv." These are very important messages.
- How long will the Council meet?
- I think that the Council will meet for several hours, and everything will be completed within one day or faster. Since the questions as such are already clear to everyone. There is tomos. On the basis of Tomos, provisions are already written that will need to be taken into account and included in our Charter, which we will have to adopt at this Council.
I think the text of the Charter is also already developed by canonists. The basis can be taken from the Charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Charter of the Kyiv Patriarchate - any charter. But in principle, it will be possible to work on it in the future.
What happens at the Council? The exarch, who presides over this Council, reads the agenda and the regulations, which, as I understand it, Patriarch Bartholomew should bless. Voiced by the act of proclaiming the Church. This document is signed by all participants of the Council and is a kind of Declaration.
Most likely, then the Charter of the church will be adopted. And then, according to this Statute, the Primate was elected.
- Do you think that the election of the Primate will not take much time?
- I do not see any particular problems that may arise in the matter of electing the Primate. Everyone, going to the Cathedral, has already made a choice for himself. It will take an hour and a half or even less to vote. Since I was a participant in the election of two Primates — both the current Patriarch Cyril, and the Most Blessed Metropolitan Onufriy — I have a certain practice and experience of participating in such events. First, a list of all the bishops of this Council is compiled, the first round of voting takes place ...
- Will you be on this list?
- If I am a member of the Council, then yes. If such a procedure is adopted. Voting takes place, three people are elected, to whom the Council has expressed the greatest confidence. Of these three, in the second round, the Primate is elected. Everything is quite simple. No debate or struggle is expected. We are not in the ring.
There should be no self-nominations, no debates on candidates. All preliminary discussions should remain outside the Hagia Sophia. All come with their opinion already formed. And in the spirit of peace and love, relying on the Will of God, there is a conciliar will.
- That is, theoretically, and you can become the head of this Church?
- Theoretically, if the Council manifests the desire and there will be the confidence of the episcopate and the believers, anything is possible.
- But you have already decided for yourself who you will vote for?
- With whom I would vote, I decided. And it's not me (laughs).
- The head of the Verkhovna Rada, Andrei Paruby, proposed to transfer the church of Saint Sophia to the new local church. How do you feel about this?
- I would not say that it needs to be transmitted. The church has never actually ceased to be a church. Another question is that this temple may be titular for the Primate of a new Church, or the Cathedral.
Firstly, it is incompatible. Secondly, it is a monument of architecture that requires careful treatment. Of course, it is absolutely necessary that worship be held in it. Perhaps for the most solemn occasions - prayers, inaugurations, enthronements. Perhaps even the Liturgy on Sundays and on great holidays. Naturally, in compliance with the necessary measures for the preservation of the shrine.
But, as it seems to me, he should not cease to be both an active temple and a museum. Here it is possible to find the right solution so that the cultural and historical heritage of our church and country will not be damaged.