His Beatitude Metropolitan Myfodii of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) made his first pastoral visit to the United States in February 2006.  Warmth radiated from his eyes as he sat for the interview.  Soft spoken strength resonated in his firm, yet gentle voice.  A reflective, contemplative expression shined in his face.  His presence is humble, unassuming.  He had an aura of deep faith.  He is a man of God.

“Americans are a kind, good people,” he said.  “There is an openness and willingness to accept strangers here which makes this a great country.  God bless America.  God keep her safe now and always.”  His Beatitude has held memorial services for victims of the 9/11 attacks at
St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv.  He not only came to make a pastoral visit in the United States, but also to pay his respects for those taken by the tragedy that still haunts the world.

He noted that over a million Americans have Ukrainian heritage.  “I offer them and all their fellow citizens the very best wishes from Ukraine.  I am praying for them.  I pray for them every day.  For Ukrainian Americans especially, I want them to know that the ancestral homeland is their Mother.  She is always here for them.  The Church is always here for them.”

Metropolitan Myfodii is committed to seeing a unified, national Ukrainian Church, but theologically and organizationally it must be achieved in a way that best nurtures a spiritual and national reawakening.

“There is division in Ukrainian Orthodoxy,” His Beatitude reflected.  “There has been no agreement to unite with Patriarch Filaret.”  Despite the slow progress, discussions “are ongoing.  We will continue to work for understanding between the Churches.  If the Ukrainian Orthodox Church unites it will be one of the biggest in the world.”  His Beatitude is hopeful that this unity is an inevitability, yet he cautiously observes that “foreign influences  want it stopped.”

To achieve a united Church he believes that the government should have a limited role.  “Its involvement could cause deeper division,” His Beatitude said.  “The situation must not be politicized..  The government must stay out of Church affairs as much as possible.”

Communists took the assets of the UAOC.  Today, “the Ukrainian government will decide” how previously seized Church property will be re-allocated.  This has caused friction between Kyiv and Moscow and the government is proceeding slowly so as not to offend groups within Ukraine while being mindful of its northern neighbor.  “The Ukrainian government needs to be more helpful,” His Beatitude said.

The Metropolitan adds that there is a part the Church can play in advancing democracy.  “The Church is not separated from the people,” he reflected.  “The people want freedom.  The Church can bring people together.  The Church can unite the nation.  The Church can help in a pastoral way.”  The Church must not become political otherwise it will be secularized.  “By doing what the Church was meant to do, building a community of people in love and community, then all will be well in the nation.  We will be, as God intended, a Ukrainian nation of faith.”     

The UAOC is an organizational model for the country’s long-term stability.  The  UAOC, like Ukraine’s national reawakening, believes that a people’s faith journey must be in accordance with its own customs, traditions and heritage.

“Autocephalous means that we are independent,” he said. “ It also means that we do not answer to an Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople or any where else.  A Ukrainian Church cannot be Ukrainian if it submits to someone.  There must be spiritual independence.”  Ukrainians must walk with God in the manner they think best without interference.  “The nation is independent.  So must be the Church.”   

“Whether someone considers us canonical,” His Beatitude said, “doesn’t matter.  We don’t pay attention.  We are doing our own business.  Some don’t want to recognize us for political reasons.  We are growing stronger each month.  In Ukraine, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has more than 1,100 parishes, 700 priests, two academies, three seminaries, and three monasteries.  We have a shortage of priests which speaks to our strong, constant growth.”

The UAOC in the Diaspora has parishes in Italy, Spain, France, Canada, Colombia and some in Africa.  The Diaspora church is based in the United States, but recognizes Metropolitan Myfodii as its head.  “The different nationalities that come to our church shows a trust and deep faith in us,” His Beatitude noted. 

Metropolitan Myfodii stressed, “we are a Christian Church that works in the community to make the lives of people better.  Ministry must go beyond the walls of a church.  We are especially concerned for the elderly and small children in orphanages.  There is great need.  We must love and care for as many brothers and sisters as possible.”  He commented that the depth and quality of Christian faith is determined by how a Church acts, not by how well it plays church politics.

Some parishes in Ukraine and the Diaspora seek canonical status.  Canonical is given an undeserved importance in the Orthodox world, especially in the post-Soviet era when national Churches long for independence.  It is political with the trappings of a religious designation.  The UAOC, today and historically, has sought to maintain a spiritual integrity without asking anyone else’s permission.         

In 1921, centuries of tsarist Russification and the later brutality of Soviet Communism gave birth to the UAOC with the able leadership of Metropolitan Wasyl Lupkivskyj.  Similar to the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church, the UAOC sought to defend and revitalize an oppressed national, spiritual and cultural heritage.  The UAOC represented a free distinctly Ukrainian church.  Three years later His All-Holiness Gregorios VII, Ecumenical Patriarch issued a Tomos that re-established the historic Kyivan-Rus’ Metropolitanate as an Autocephalous Church. 

The Communists dissolved the Autocephalous Church in 1930.  Metropolitan Lupkivskyj was arrested and later died in prison.  In 1941, the UAOC resurrected only to again be liquidated shortly after World War II.  Some of its leaders went to the United States while others stayed behind to secretly serve in the homes of parishioners. 

In 1991, the first patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine, His Holiness Patriarch Mystyslav, was installed leader in a free, independent Ukraine.  The election of then Archimandrite Stephan Petrovich of the United States to the office of bishop was conducted during the time of then Metropolitan Filaret’s installation to the Patriarchal Office of Kyiv.  Later two Churches emerged, one headed by Patriarch Filaret of the Kyiv-Patriarchate.  Metropolitan Myfodii eventually became leader of the UAOC in Ukraine.  Metropolitan Stephan led the UAOC in the Diaspora until the succession of Metropolitan Michael.

During his pastoral visit to the United States Metropolitan Myfodii did not go to any parish where he was not invited.  According to His Beatitude, the main reason for the American visit was to “elevate the identity of the UAOC and to remind parishes considering a new spiritual home of the UAOC’s history.  I’m hoping that priests who learn of this visit will discuss with parishioners what it truly means to be a Ukrainian Church.” 

“Parishes want to join the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church because it is not politicized,” he reflected.  “Our Church is real and true.  It never shows aggression toward other jurisdictions.  We accept only a priest and his parish if everyone agrees to join our family.  If half the parish does not wish to join, though the other half does along with the priest, it is still not enough.  There must be a family agreement by the whole parish before the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church considers itself worthy to accept such a new member.  A family must be united before it becomes part of our family.”

Emphasizing an earlier point His Beatitude said, “Despite the challenges, family is the reason we must work for a united Ukrainian Church.  It will be good for Ukraine and her people.  It must happen. We are all family. We are all God’s children.”

“Every time I read the Bible,” he said softly toward the close of the interview, “I have a new vision, a new understanding, a greater enlightenment.”  Quoting scripture he said, “ ‘Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them” (Luke 6:31).  “It is one of my favorite passages.’ ” He paused for a moment as if to offer a silent prayer before again speaking, “ ‘love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return’ ”(Luke 6:35).  “It is why I think God called me to the priesthood; so I could spread His love into the hearts of others.  I wish to always be faithful to His calling.  I wish to always be faithful to God’s love for humanity.”