In May 1992, Metropolitan Sergius of Ternopil, together with Metropolitan Onufriy of Kiev and All Ukraine, participated in the Kharkov Bishops’ Council. The hierarch shared his memories of the participation of His Beatitude in the 1992 Council of Bishops.

Speaking about the events that took place then, Metropolitan Sergius noted: “It was a serious, mysterious Providence of God. And with such a dispensation, such a special approach to the events that were taking place then, Vladyka Onuphrius already had a special gift of reasoning. It was felt that he cares about the main thing, about the Church. He did not consider himself, he did not think what it would cost him. He saw the trampled interest of the Church, and testified about this openly even before the bishop’s meeting, which was a surprise.

In the Kharkov Cathedral, he was one of those who spoke about the main thing, in order to preserve the fear of God, so as not to be afraid of human fear, and this boldness, his reasoning, vision and sacrifice of himself for the sake of the interests of the Church – this was already visible in him then.

It can be said that one of the most important acts of the Council was carried out by the boldness of Vladyka Onuphrius. He said: “Our Council will not fulfill its mission if it does not fulfill the most important thing: it is necessary to ban Filaret (Denisenko) in the ministry.” Vladyka Onufriy said that this decision will have a historical consequence, it will protect from many mistakes in the Church. And he was able to say it so that this decision was supported and adopted. “