The Russian Orthodox Church explained why they do not anathematize Onufriy
The leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church behaves correctly in relation to the UOC-MP, which went into schism, declaring its independence in violation of the canons.
Priest Pavel Ostrovsky stated this in an interview with Ksenia Sobchak, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"What happened now is, of course, a sad event. This Feofaniev schism. Because ultimately, it is a schism. Thirty years ago, the past was already reversed when the bishops withdrew their signatures ( from the declaration of autocephaly of the leader of the "Kyiv Patriarchate," Filaret – ed. ).
I am very close to the position of our hierarchy, which does nothing. We took a break. They expressed their disapproval, but did not break off relations, but could have been anathematized. Then it’s unlikely that anyone would return. They are waiting for the end of the special operation, and then they will watch,” Ostrovsky said.
According to him, many Orthodox Christians in Ukraine do not support the actions of Kyiv Metropolitan Onuphry.
“Here I broadcast on Telegram, and many people from Ukraine do not support me. For them, Orthodoxy is higher than Ukraine. And, of course, many people do not like self-proclamation.
What are the prospects for the Feofanevsky schism? Nobody recognized them. Constantinople has already recognized the OCU... Now, when many passions are raging, you just need to wait. I talked with Ukrainian priests. I can understand them humanly, but from the point of view of Christian teaching, I am absolutely not convinced by the motive of their actions. You spend 30 years telling people the details of Christian teaching in relation to schism, and then you literally start doing the same thing. Who is who, but the citizens of Ukraine understand very well what constitutes a split,” Ostrovsky said.
In May, the leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Feofania expressed disagreement with the position of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' regarding the fighting in Ukraine, adopting, in violation of the procedure, changes to the charter of the UOC, which declared independence from the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Russian Orthodox Church explained why they are not excommunicating Onufriy.