OCU defrocks Filaret's successor and "metropolitans" of the UOC-KP

The OCU, by decision of the Synod, has defrocked Nykhodym Kobzar and a number of individuals from the UOC-KP, the OCU reported on May 11, according to UNN.

Details

The Synod of the OCU, as reported, "once again, as it has done many times before, categorically declares that individuals from this group who present themselves or will in the future present themselves as 'bishops of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate' – were not and are not bishops." "They do not belong to the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and their self-proclaimed titles and ranks have never been and will never be recognized by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," the statement reads.

"For canonical crimes, the Holy Synod at its meeting on May 11, 2026, defrocked individuals previously suspended from ministry – monks Nykhodym Kobzar, who calls himself 'patriarch,' Mykhailo Kovalyuk, and Nykon Hrabliuk, who call themselves 'metropolitans.' These individuals were never bishops, and now they have also lost the rank of priest which they once held. Similar canonical punishments may be applied to all clergy who support the schismatic activities of the aforementioned group, of which the Holy Synod publicly warns," the statement says.

At the same time, it is noted that, "following the instruction of the late Patriarch Filaret to seek unity and peace, about 20 communities and clerics who previously had no communion with the OCU—that is, the vast majority—have already restored it." "The Synod calls upon those who have not yet reconciled with the Local Church to do so, proving in deed their love for God and for Ukraine," the statement emphasizes.

Reminder

Patriarch Filaret, who headed the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, died in his 98th year on March 20.

Archbishop Nykhodym of Sumy and Okhtyrka (Volodymyr Kobzar) was elected as the new primate of the UOC-KP.