Statement from the Sophia Brotherhood Regarding the Events at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi
Dear friends,
It is difficult to find words to describe the events that occurred yesterday, June 17, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi. The clash between believers of two Orthodox jurisdictions— the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)—shocked all who long for unity and healing within the Church in Ukraine.
Is there any sense in looking for culprits or trying to justify anyone when there can be no “right” side in those who turn God’s house into a battlefield? It is both sad and distressing that in a country bleeding in war against a brutal enemy, people in peaceful cities have begun spilling each other’s blood.
Yesterday’s events showed us that we are all very skilled not only at reading or quoting the Gospel, but—tragically—at fighting “for the Gospel.” The one thing we have yet to learn is how to live by it. And that is the greatest sorrow of all.
The Sophia Brotherhood does not aim to conduct investigations or determine who was right or wrong. We simply wish to express our deep sorrow and concern. For the Church is far more than walls or jurisdictions—it is the Body of Christ. And when members of that Body strike each other, it hurts us all.
We pray that our hearts and our churches remain places of peace, and that instead of division and hostility, living Gospel love will finally arise among us. Because without it, we will all be strangers—even within our own churches.
Statement from the Sophia Brotherhood Regarding the Events at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi
Statement from the Sophia Brotherhood Regarding the Events at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi
Dear friends,
It is difficult to find words to describe the events that occurred yesterday, June 17, 2025, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi. The clash between believers of two Orthodox jurisdictions— the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)—shocked all who long for unity and healing within the Church in Ukraine.
Is there any sense in looking for culprits or trying to justify anyone when there can be no “right” side in those who turn God’s house into a battlefield? It is both sad and distressing that in a country bleeding in war against a brutal enemy, people in peaceful cities have begun spilling each other’s blood.
Yesterday’s events showed us that we are all very skilled not only at reading or quoting the Gospel, but—tragically—at fighting “for the Gospel.” The one thing we have yet to learn is how to live by it. And that is the greatest sorrow of all.
The Sophia Brotherhood does not aim to conduct investigations or determine who was right or wrong. We simply wish to express our deep sorrow and concern. For the Church is far more than walls or jurisdictions—it is the Body of Christ. And when members of that Body strike each other, it hurts us all.
We pray that our hearts and our churches remain places of peace, and that instead of division and hostility, living Gospel love will finally arise among us. Because without it, we will all be strangers—even within our own churches.
— The Sophia Brotherhood