If decisions are made not for the benefit of the Church, contradict its canons and are wrong, then the believers feel it, said the head of the UOC Representation to European international organizations, Bishop Baryshevsky Viktor  at a meeting with young people commenting on the topic “Ukrainian Orthodox Church: 30 years of independence”.

Speaking about the receipt of the Blessed Diploma of Patriarch Alexy II and the reasons for the schism, as well as why the existing church status of the UOC was chosen and approved, the hierarch noted: “After the election of the Patriarch in Moscow, the former Metropolitan of Kiev Filaret abruptly changed his rhetoric and single-handedly began to torpedo the question of the autocephaly of the UOC. Under his authoritarian pressure, an appeal to the Russian Orthodox Church for immediate autocephaly was adopted, but soon our bishops began to withdraw their signatures, for which they were immediately punished.

At that time there were different positions, moods and views regarding autocephaly. And this is understandable, because we live in such a diverse state. We are different and have the right to have a different vision and attitude to the past, present and future.

Now the UOC has a status that satisfies all of its faithful. The main thing that unites us and makes us one is our Lord Jesus Christ.

You can make various decisions, but if they are not for the benefit of the Church, contradict its canons and are wrong, then the ordinary believing people feel it. And no matter how influential Filaret was then and how confident in himself, he was not supported by the majority,” said Bishop Victor.