Onufriy's Fate Uncertain: Moscow Council's Decision to Shake Ukraine's Religious Landscape

Ukraine: Onufriy's Fate Uncertain as Moscow Church Council Looms Kyiv, Ukraine – The future of Metropolitan Onufriy, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), remains uncertain following discussions on Suspilne's "New Countdown." Metropolitan Alexander Drabynko of the PCU raised concerns about Onufriy's status if the Moscow church council decides to remove him. This situation echoes the 1992 removal of Metropolitan Filaret, raising questions about the legal and canonical implications. "The question is, what will be considered the status of Metropolitan Onufriy if the council in Moscow removes him from his position as head of the UOC?" Drabynko stated, highlighting the complexity of the issue. The discussion involved analyzing the legal and canonical aspects of Onufriy's position, referencing the precedent set by Filaret's removal in 1992. Experts weighed in on the potential ramifications of such a decision, emphasizing the intricate balance between religious law and political realities in Ukraine. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between the UOC and the PCU, and the broader geopolitical context of the conflict with Russia. The outcome of the Moscow council's decision will significantly impact the religious landscape of Ukraine and its relationship with the broader Orthodox world.