Kyiv Patriarchate elects former OCU cleric as 'bishop'
Oleksii Nikolyshyn. Photo: UOC–KP
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC–KP) has announced that it has received former OCU cleric Oleksii Nikolyshyn into its jurisdiction together with the Resurrection parish in the village of Ozerna, Ternopil region.
Following the transfer, the Holy Synod of the Kyiv Patriarchate elected Nikolyshyn as "Bishop of Ternopil and Buchach."
The UOC–KP said that the time and place of his monastic tonsure, followed by his episcopal "consecration," would be announced at a later date.
The OCU condemned the move and announced the suspension of Fr. Oleksii Nikolyshyn from priestly ministry, citing "a grave violation of canonical order, disobedience and disrespect toward his bishop, participation in unlawful gatherings, and actions aimed at causing a schism within the Orthodox Church of Ukraine."
As the UOJ previously reported, another OCU cleric recently transferred to the UOC–KP.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.