Dispute Erupts Among Senior Clergy
Archbishop Andrii has publicly accused Archbishop Nykyfir and a group of bishops of illegally electing a new leader for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), following the death of Patriarch Filaret. He states they violated the Church's Statute and canonical procedures. This controversy stems from the passing of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine—whose secular name was Mykhailo Denysenko—on March 20 at the age of 97.
On March 21, Archbishop Nykyfir of Sumy and Okhtyrka was proclaimed the new head of the UOC-KP. It is crucial to understand that the UOC-KP was formally dissolved in late 2018 to facilitate the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which received a Tomos of autocephaly. Archbishop Andrii, who serves as the manager of affairs for the Kyiv Patriarchate, expressed outrage at the bishops' actions. He noted that he had convened a meeting of the Holy Synod at the appointed time, but the group of bishops prevented him from opening it. Instead, they unilaterally declared the start of a 'Bishops' Council' and forced an immediate, unlawful vote for a new patriarch.
For the ten days since the unauthorized gathering on March 21, I deliberately remained silent, hoping the bishops would come to their senses, recognize the profound sin of their actions, and return to lawful procedures. Instead of repentance, however, we have witnessed only an escalation of these illegal activities.
Archbishop Andrii
He further disclosed that Archbishop Nykyfir of Sumy and Okhtyrka was elected unanimously as the Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine through a secret ballot. This act of electing a primate for the UOC-KP has provoked indignation from representatives of other dioceses and bishops, including:
- Metropolitan Ioasaf of Bilhorod and Oboyan
- Metropolitan Filaret of Fălești and Moldova
- Archbishop Danyil of Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih
- Bishop Nikon of Odesa and Balt
- Bishop Mykhail of Kherson and Tavria
- Bishop Petro, vicar of the Bilhorod Diocese
This situation casts serious doubt on the legitimacy of the new appointments within the framework of canonical norms and the internal politics of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.
Potential Fallout from the Clash
The emerging conflict between Archbishop Andrii and Archbishop Nykyfir could have significant repercussions for Ukrainian Orthodoxy, as questions over the election's legitimacy threaten church stability. This incident reveals a clear schism among the senior clergy, which may impact the future development of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and its relations with other Orthodox jurisdictions. The outrage expressed by other bishops indicates potential for further internal conflicts, which could lead to an increased politicization of religious processes in Ukraine. The dispute highlights the ongoing complexities within Ukrainian Christianity following the 2018 creation of a unified autocephalous church.
The recent turmoil within the UOC-KP has drawn attention to the broader implications of leadership transitions in the Orthodox community. While Archbishop Andrii raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the recent election, it's essential to consider the context of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's evolving structure. For a deeper understanding of the new patriarch's role and the future direction of the church following Filaret's legacy, you can explore more details in our article on the new patriarch's election.