Sumy Eparchy denies fake letter by bishop to Patriarch Kirill

On August 5, 2022, the Sumy Eparchy of the UOC denied untrue information regarding a letter written by Metropolitan Evlogiy of Sumy and Akhtyrka to Patriarch Kirill, reports the eparchy's press service.

The information that appeared on the Internet, according to the press service, "compromises Metropolitan Evlogiy of Sumy and Akhtyrka in the context of not mentioning Patriarch Kirill during services and the position regarding Russia's military aggression against sovereign Ukraine" is not true.

"The position of Metropolitan Evlogiy of Sumy and Akhtyrka on the assessment of Russia's military aggression and invasion of Ukraine was expressed on February 24, 2022, and remains unchanged," and the letter whose image appeared on the Internet does not exist, the eparchy stressed.

"Metropolitan Evlogiy considers the military invasion of Russian troops a grave sin against God's law and a crime against the lives of the citizens of Ukraine, which is recognised as an integral sovereign state. All other statements or assumptions are untrue," the press service said in a statement.

In addition, the document says that "the cessation of commemoration of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus during services in churches of the Sumy Eparchy was a consequence of Patriarch Kirill's support for Russia's aggressive policy and armed aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."

"To date, the name of Patriarch Kirill has not been mentioned in the canonical territory of the Sumy Eparchy. This order is in accordance with the Statute on the governance of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was amended at the Council on May 27, 2022," the statement said.

The eparchy suggested that "this incident is an attempt to influence Metropolitan Evlogiy and to compromise him as the ruling bishop of the border eparchy which is constantly under fire from Russia".

As earlier reported, a number of UOC eparchies stopped commemorating Patriarch Kirill.

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