The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate expressed its deep concern over the decision of the Church of Greece to recognise the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Shortly after the publication of the peaceful letter sent by Archbishop Ieronymos to Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv, the Department for External Church Relations described Athens’ decision as a stab in the back of the “canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church”. Metropolitan Onufriy is disappointed at this decision, arguing that the decision made by Athens to recognise the Church of Ukraine is contrary to the sacred rules and traditions of the Church and is a serious mistake that jeopardises both Orthodoxy in Ukraine and Pan-Orthodox unity.
The Church led by Metropolitan Onufriy accused the Church of Greece of being completely aligned with the wrong actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the sake of ethnophyletism which is in total conflict with the interests of Orthodoxy.
Metropolitan Onufriy, along with bishops, are threatening to sever full communion with the Church of Greece, arguing that “the final decision regarding the possibility of continuing to be in Eucharistic communion with and concelebrating alongside the clergy of the Orthodox Church of Greece will be made by the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.”