UOC: Sending Phanar exarchs in Kiev is violation of its canonical territory

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The appointment of two Constantinople exarchs in Kiev is a gross violation of its canonical territory, says the Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the statement on the appointment of two Constantinople hierarchs, archbishop Daniel (the U.S.) and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton (Canada), as 'exarchs' of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Kiev.

"The Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is authorized to say with the blessing of his Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine that the appointment of exarchs is a massive violation of the canonical territory of the UOC. This decision made by Constantinople contradicts the second rule of the Second Ecumenical (Constantinople) Assembly, which states that bishops cannot cross the limits of their regions without being invited," the DECR of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said in the statement.

The UOC DECR also reports that the appointment of exarchs in Kiev took place without the knowledge of Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.

In this regard, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said that "responsibility for any possible negative consequences of that action rests with the Constantinople Patriarchate".

On September 7, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople appointed Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (the U.S) and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton (Canada) as its exarchs in Kiev "within the framework of the preparations for the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine". The ROC expressed resolute protest and deep outrage over the decision of the Constantinople Patriarchate, adding that the response to Phanar’s actions will promptly ensue.

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