As an example of the confusion between church and politics, the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos, cites the recent statement by “Metropolitan” Epiphanius Dumenko that several churches, whose countries are included in the Western sphere of influence, recognize OCU. He said this in an interview to the Greek website “Romfea”.

“And how will this be done?” the Metropolitan asks. He replies that the Holy Synods of the Local Churches divided into supporters of Russia and supporters of Constantinople. Thus, schismatics and their Western partners hope that a number of Churches will recognize the OCU due to political division and pressure.

“Everything that is declared, implied, and promoted paints a tragic picture of the future unity of the Orthodox Church,” His Eminence warns.

He does not believe that such a division is the goal of Constantinople, but, opposing Russia, he involved people with different goals in the confrontation. “And the schismatic OCU, which wants to be the Patriarchate, will take advantage of the situation and promote it for its own purposes,” Metropolitan Isaiah said.