"The corresponding decision has already been made": Metropolitan Epifaniy answers whether the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will bless same-sex marriages. Video

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) will not allow priests to bless same-sex marriages. This is contrary to Christian teaching.

This was stated by the head of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, in an interview with Radio Liberty. He noted that the relevant decision was made at the last local council of the OCU.

"We even have a declaration that clearly states that we will not do this," Epifaniy said.

Commenting on the fact that Pope Francis allowed same-sex couples to be blessed, he said that this issue is "very rhetorical": sometimes the pontiff will say something, and then his words are interpreted in a completely different way.

"We know that the Greek Catholic Church has categorically rejected this and stated that they do not support it and will not comply with it even if there is a decision because it contradicts Christian teaching," the Metropolitan added.

The interviewer reminded him of the petition to introduce same-sex partnerships in our country, which has already been considered by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The petition has received the required number of signatures, which indicates a corresponding request from Ukrainian society, to which the church does not respond, thus leaving some citizens out of its attention. However, this does not prevent the OCU from fulfilling its function, Epifaniy believes.

"We cannot violate what has been developed by our teaching because there are certain norms. If we violate them, then we will no longer be a church," he said.

As reported, earlier, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Metropolitan Sviatoslav, said that Ukraine does not intend to bless same-sex couples. This stance is maintained by the church despite the Fiducia Supplicans declaration approved by Pope Francis.

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