Response given during the panel discussion at the Round Table “Contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy: Debunking Myths for the Reconciliation of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine,” held on April 29, 2025, in Kyiv as part of the enlightening-analytical project “Contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy: Debunking Myths for the Reconciliation of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine and the Consolidation of Ukrainian Society,” organized by the Sophia Brotherhood with support from the Renovabis Foundation.
Oleksandr Sagan (OCU): I have two very brief questions. First, I want to say that I’m delighted by the initiative of the Sophia Brotherhood — I strongly support these efforts. An institution that shapes the idea of an ideal church is extremely important today.
My first question: aren’t we, under the weight of biases and myths, hiding the fact that we are really dealing with two different ecclesiastical-worldview paradigms — basically two different churches? One is the church of Ivan Ohienko or Mstyslav Skrypnyk, and the other might be called the church of John of Kronstadt, Luka Kovalenko, or Anthony Pakanich?
And when we talk about overcoming resentment and “rising above” images, we’re actually talking about a shift in the entire ecclesial-worldview paradigm. A revolution of this magnitude — as we’ve seen with the communists — they found it easier to die than to abandon that worldview. These resentments were objectively formed. This process didn’t start at independence; it began over 100 years ago with the development of the autocephalous idea — even back in the late 19th century with Lipkivskyi’s early speeches. So what do we do? How can we break these entrenched worldviews?
My second question: doesn’t it feel as though the Sophia Brotherhood is gradually forming a third jurisdiction? Three bishops could come here and say, “We’re forming an ideal church, and here we will be like this.” It feels like that idea is already hanging in the air — it’s ripening. At least, that’s how I feel.
Oleksandr Filonenko (OCU): That’s a very important question — about worldview and the capacity to overcome it. For me, the formula is: “For a person, it is impossible; but for God, all things are possible.” How is that possible? When we seek answers from God — that is Christocentrism. We must overcome our worldview, but we can’t do it ourselves. That’s when it’s time to rely on the Lord.
Regarding jurisdictions — whether the Sophia Brotherhood might become a third Orthodox jurisdiction in Ukraine — what matters most to me is recognizing that this isn’t a new jurisdiction at all, but rather an ancient phenomenon: Christian movements. A movement is the response to the question: “Where in the real Church is there space to attempt to overcome worldviews?” In movements. And for me, the Brotherhood represents the birth of such a spiritual movement in Ukraine today — within the Orthodox world.