Odessa metropolitan against making ‘a pocket structure’ out of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

22 February 2008, 17:16

Moscow, February 22, Interfax – Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Ismail has urged not to let “wolves in sheep's clothing” destroy the unity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with the Moscow Patriarchate.

“Today, hierarchs, clerics, theologians, laymen and church youth - everyone should spare no effort to prevent dangerous threat impeding over the unity of our Mother-the Russian Orthodox Church,” Metropolitan Agafangel said on Friday at the 12th World Russian People’s Council in Moscow.

According to the metropolitan’s information, “Ukrainian opponents of the canonical Orthodoxy have a practical task: to tear the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Moscow Patriarchate, to tear away millions of Orthodox Ukrainians, Russians, Moldovans and representatives of other nations living in Ukraine from centuries-old unity of church and civilization destiny with people of Great Russia, to split our peoples for keeps.”

Ruling Odessa hierarch stressed that “nationalistic circles who gained power (in Ukraine – IF) are hypersensitive and intolerant even to a prayer for His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia at divine services.”

He criticized “drastic intrusion in inner church affairs” initiated by some prominent state figures, who “violate the country’s Constitution and strive to “unite” the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with schismatics against people’s will.

The metropolitan is convinced they try to convert the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in ‘a pocket, politicized Church to support anti-Russian hysteria inspired by certain forces.”

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