We moved from the totalitarian system to the catholicity of government, – Primate of UOC

On May 28, celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the Kharkov Council of Bishops continued in Kiev. Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, His Beatitude Onufry in his speech addressed to the believers, spoke about the importance of the decisions taken there, reports a UOJ correspondent.

"This was a significant event for our Church," said the Primate of the UOC. "Then the Soviet Union disintegrated, and new political and social conditions of service appeared. The totalitarian system collapsed, and at the Kharkov Council the bishops chose a new path of church life. Then the Primate-dictator was removed. And a new Primate was elected – Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine His Beatitude Vladimir (Sabodan). He by nature was a spiritual man who had a conciliar way of thinking. He was not a dictator, but a man who, taking important decisions for the life of the Church, always consulted with bishops and priests. This is the right way of governing the Church. And we moved from the totalitarian system to the catholicity of government."

His Beatitude Onufry stressed that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church today recalls those bishops who were present at that memorable Cathedral.

"In those tough times, they showed courage, because they were under intense pressure, reporting many threats," said His Beatitude Onufry. "But the Lord regulated and reasoned. And all took the right decision. Metropolitan Filaret (Denisenko) was suspended from ministry. And today we thank God that He was with us and helped overcome all temptations. And the bishops showed that they were good shepherds, who were ready to lay down their lives for their flock. And may God help us, dear brothers and sisters, to preserve and keep that right choice of canonicity and church structure, which was determined at the Kharkov Council of Bishops."