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The granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian church has already begun, RIA Novosti reports. On October 11, the Synod of the Constantinople Patriarchate decided to reinstate the heads of non-canonical churches in Ukraine. In addition, it abolished the decision taken in the 17th century to transfer Kiev Metropolitanate to the Moscow Patriarchate. Also during the meeting, the Synod announced the start of preparation to create an autocephalous church in Ukraine.
The synod gathered in Istanbul to finish on October 11. Constantinople representatives took floor there. Patriarch Bartholomew in Kiev appointed them.
Filaret Denisenko, the head of the so-called Kyiv Patriarchate, and another leader of the schismatic structure Makariy Maletich "are reinstated to hierarchical and priestly ranks" and their followers are "restored to communication with the church".
The Synod of the Constantinople Orthodox Church declared that it restored the stauropegy of Constantinople in Kiev. Stavropigiya is a direct subdivision to the Constantinople Patriarch.
The Russian Orthodox Church called these statements "catastrophic". According to the priest Alexander Volkov, a spokesman for Patriarch Kirill, this is nothing more than the legalization of schism. He stresses that Constantinople violates church traditions and canons. That will harm millions of Orthodox believers in Ukraine. The priest is convinced that after this decision “something terrible will begin”.
The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church will assess the actions of Constantinople at its meeting in Minsk scheduled for October 15.
Russkiy Mir
