“a concelebration between him and MOC hierarchs would have been taken by Constantinople as the MOC indirectly recognizing the validity of OCU Sacraments and clergy.
Similar quotes
“Indeed, it was not from Moscow that we received our autocephaly. It was not Moscow that granted us the Tomos, nor did recognition of our Church’s authenticity depend upon Moscow—just as the authenticity of Paul’s apostleship did not depend upon the opinions of his opponents,” Metropolitan Epifaniy stated. “Just as Paul was called to become an apostle by the Head of the Church Himself, so we received the Tomos and the proclamation of our status as an autocephalous Local Church from the first among the Primates of the Orthodox Church—the Ecumenical Patriarch, who alone, according to the conciliar canons, possesses this authority.
“Therefore, it is quite joyful when the rector truly supports the decision of his parishioners — or rather is its initiator — so that people take notice and ultimately join the great Ukrainian family within the OCU,
“after the meeting in Nove concluded, the participants traveled to Sedniv, to the Dormition Church, whose community also joined the OCU.
“Metropolitan Emmanuel discussed relations between the Georgian and Constantinople Churches with Patriarch Shio.
“Metropolitan Tikhon assured His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of the prayers of the OCA clergy and faithful.
“Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew once again thanked the Archbishop of Albania for his presence and participation throughout the celebrations held on Imbros
“Just as Paul was called to become an apostle by the Head of the Church Himself, so too we received the Tomos and the proclamation of our dignity as an autocephalous Local Church from the first among the Primates of the Orthodox Church – from the Ecumenical Patriarch, who alone is vested by the conciliar canons with such a right
“the UOC Primate’s wise leadership protects the ship of the Church from internal discord and divisions