An update on the Ukrainian Church's internal issues

(RISU) - In an interview to Radio Freedom, Metropolitan Volodymyr, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), said that he governs the church according to the established rules.

“It is being governed by the ruling bishop, the Primate, that is by me,” said the metropolitan.

He also stressed that he governs the Kyivan Eparchy. “The Kyivan Eparchy as well as all the last eparchies of the UOC are subject to the common laws governing the whole church. One cannot single out a particular eparchy enjoying autonomy. The final word rests with the governing bishop,” stated Metropolitan Volodymyr.

Last October, the Primate was hospitalized. In the beginning of last December, he was transferred from the intensive care unit to a rehabilitation ward where he stays now.

In February, a session of the Holy Synod of the UOC-MP was held despite the Primate’s prohibition. The Synod, in particular, decreed to dismiss the primate’s secretary, Archbishop Oleksandr Drabynko, from his positions in the church.