On the Canonical Situation in Ukraine and Those Churches in Ukrainian Succession
His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch +++Bartholomew, His Holiness, the Patriarch of Moscow +++Kyrill, and His Holiness, the Patriarch of Kyiv +++Filaret;
Our Holy Synod has reviewed the outline of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s (EP) position regarding the situation in Ukraine in relation to the Moscow Patriarchate (MP). This is not intended as an endorsement of all issues addressed within this encyclical, but as a means of providing a balanced perspective, given the predominance of anti-EP rhetoric in many online discussions. The divisive discourse surrounding this issue has caused significant harm to Orthodox unity and has made reconciliation increasingly difficult.
While certain aspects of the EP’s argument warrant special consideration, particularly regarding the MP’s inability to claim universal jurisdiction over Ukraine, we must also recognize the problematic assertion of a primacy that extends beyond historical and canonical precedents. If the Moscow Patriarchate—the largest and most influential Orthodox Church—does not possess unilateral authority to define canonical legitimacy, then neither does the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which, while historically significant, remains a local Church whose jurisdiction does not extend over the entire Orthodox world. Recent assertions of this new papal authority are disturbing and contradict the historical understanding of the local Orthodox Churches. The notion that Constantinople inherits a unique position of authority due to the schism of Old Rome lacks conciliar affirmation and clear canonical basis. If such authority were to be recognized, it would need to be granted explicitly by an Ecumenical Council and not assumed based on historical precedence alone. The Orthodox Church has always upheld a conciliar model of governance, resisting any singular, centralized authority akin to the unsubstantiated and anti-synodal claims of the Roman West, which broke from the rest of the Orthodox world in AD 1054 due to the sin of pride. If universal primacy were ever to be assumed—a notion which Orthodox ecclesiology rejects—it would more naturally reside with the most vibrant and influential Orthodox Church, which in the present day is the Moscow Patriarchate. However, true primacy is not about worldly influence but about service, unity, and faithfulness to Christ’s teaching. Therefore, our Church must stand in neutral canonical territory between the two partisan and warring ecclesial factions, both making claims more recognizable to the Roman Papacy than to Orthodox Christian history.
The EP’s recent actions in Ukraine raise serious concerns about canonical consistency. The revocation of Moscow’s jurisdiction over Kyiv, the unilateral and untenable rejection of the autocephaly previously granted to the Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian Church, and the establishment of a new ecclesial structure under Metropolitan Epiphany—while overlooking the standing claims and previous agreements with Patriarch Filaret—suggest a fluid approach to canonical authority that does not align with the historical precedents of the ancient Patriarchates. The underlying principle appears not to be the establishment of a stable and recognized ecclesial order for the spiritual benefit of the faithful but rather the preservation of influence and institutional power. This risks distorting the Orthodox understanding of synodality, replacing it with unilateral decision-making that mirrors the very structures Orthodoxy has historically resisted.
In this complex and painful situation, we as an Archdiocese seek to foster healing and uphold the integrity of Orthodox ecclesiology in several ways:
- Commitment to Canonical Truth and Mutual Submission
- We call all parties to a sincere return to the ancient canonical standards, which emphasize faith, mutual submission, and conciliarity rather than political maneuvering. Both the EP and MP have at times acted in ways that reflect the influence of worldly power rather than the spiritual mission of the Church. This is not to pass judgment but to acknowledge the need for reform, humility, and a reorientation toward true synodal governance.
- Advocacy for a Restored Conciliar Model
- We maintain that the recent canonical decisions affecting Ukraine warrant reassessment, not based on nationalistic or political considerations but on the ancient principles of Orthodox governance. The equality of all Orthodox bishops, clearly defined and non-overlapping ecclesial jurisdictions, and unity in faith must take precedence over administrative disputes. If these principles are not reaffirmed, the Orthodox world risks fragmentation into competing factions, each asserting exclusive claims to grace and legitimacy, thus undermining the Church’s mission.
- Refusal to Perpetuate Schism
- Our Archdiocese does not uphold schism and remains open to all Orthodox faithful, regardless of jurisdictional allegiance. We believe that the exclusion of God’s grace from fellow Orthodox Christians on the basis of political or administrative divisions is a grave error. Rather than deepening division, we seek to build bridges, fostering reconciliation and inviting all Orthodox believers back to unity in Christ. True ecclesial life is not found in legalistic pronouncements but in the manifest grace of God, which calls all to love, humility, and communion.
- Call to Prayer and Spiritual Renewal
- We urge all Orthodox Christians to pray fervently for His All-Holiness +Bartholomew, His Holiness +Kyrill, His Holiness +Filaret, and all Orthodox hierarchs, asking that they be granted wisdom and strength as they navigate these challenging times. Our ultimate journey is toward Christ, and we must approach this path with faithfulness, rejecting political entanglements and embracing humility, love, and truth. Canonical fundamentalism does not help the Church, and leads us on a pathway of war, conceit and prelest that results in God’s judgment and the detriment of the Gospel and apostasy within the Church.
Unfortunately, the present crisis has been exacerbated by partisan narratives that obscure the reality of the situation, both canonically and historically. Misinformation and ideological rhetoric have poisoned the discourse, leading many to adopt positions that deepen division rather than seeking solutions. We trust, however, that through sincere prayer, brotherly love, and a rejection of political gamesmanship, the schism that now paralyzes Orthodox unity can be healed and Orthodox canonical interpretation return to the standards of the Ancient Church. Only through the restoration of conciliarity and a renewed commitment to the Church’s divine mission can Orthodoxy continue to be a light to the world.
“For the peace of the world, for the unity of the holy churches of God, and the end of all schisms, let us pray to the Lord. And, having prayed for the unity of faith and for the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commit ourselves, and one another, and our whole lives to Christ our God. Lord, have mercy!”
Received by All Members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Archdiocese of America, The Ukrainian Orthodox Church in East Asia, The Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Philippines, The Missionary Diocese of East and Southeast Asia, and the Anglican Vicariate of the Orthodox Archdiocese.
Presented to the Presiding Metropolitan ++Rogelio (Cruz) of Manila and Luzon
By the Secretary of the Holy Synod, Archbishop +Joseph (Boyd) of Loveland and the Missionary Diocese of East and Southeast Asia