A meeting of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is
scheduled for May 24. Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine said
this in an interview with BBC about the issues the Synod will be
considering and whether the Local Council will be convened.
“At the Holy Synod, we will discuss the general situation in our
Church, and perhaps make assessment of the activities carried out,” the
Primate said.
Metropolitan called untrue the statement made by Patriarch Filaret
that he was seeking the Patriarch’s retirement at the first Synod of the
OCU.
"This is a blatant lie. On the contrary, as a Primate, I defended the
Patriarch Filaret. And thanks to my position, he was allowed to retain
the city of Kyiv and everything he is managing now. The hierarchs who
attended the Holy Synod have regard for his status. Namely: they
proposed that he should lead parishes in the Kyiv region, and not in the
capital. But I persistently persuaded everyone that for the merits of
His Holiness the Patriarch he must remain the governor of the diocese of
Kyiv and enjoy respect of the newly established Church.”
And he added, “No one is trying to take anything away. During the
meeting of the Holy Synod, it was my clear position: we do not just
leave St Volodymyr's Cathedral and the residence in Pushkinska street
for the Patriarch, but let him retain the management of the parishes of
the city of Kyiv. The diocese and everything that is now part of the
diocese of the city of Kyiv, except for St Michael’s Golden-Domed
Cathedral, which is also my cathedral. The conversations about the fact
that something will be withdrawn does not correspond to reality ... The
city of Kyiv – the whole city, including all the finances coming to the
church fund, in addition to St. Michael's Monastery, are still reserved
for Patriarch Emeritus Filaret.”
Concerning Patriarch Emeritus Filaret’s attempt to convene a Local
Council to amend the Charter of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy beleives
that there are no legal and canonical mechanisms for convening the
Council by-passing the Primate, the Holy Synod or the Council of
Bishops.”
The head of the OCU emphasized, "According to our Charter adopted on
December 15, the Council of Bishops should be held every year.
Therefore, we will adhere to the rules and during the year we will
determine when the next Council of Bishops will be held. So
collectively, we will decide when to convene the next local council.
This should be a collegial decision of the Church, not a sole decision
of the Primate. If we want to be guided by a democratic, collegial way,
if we want to be open, we must make decisions collectively, together.
The period when power was exercised alone in the Church has expired.”