Moscow Patriarch Kiril may replace head of UOC (MP) with a more loyal person

Of course, Kiril’s statement about his wish to appeal for Ukrainian citizenship should not be taken seriously, but the likelihood of his repeat visit to Ukraine soon is quite real,” Prof. Stepovyk said.

Reshuffling the leadership of UOC (MP) can be the aim of Kiril’s next visit to Ukraine. The ROC will, accordingly, hold its Synod in Kyiv to rubberstamp new appointments, the expert said.

Another reason for the replacement of UOC (MP) head is stronger than anticipated protests in Western Ukraine against Kiril’s visit, something for which UOC (MP) present leader Metropolitan Volodymyr should take the fall for, Prof. Stepovyk continued.

Yet another, and more tangible, reason for the reshuffling might be Metropolitan Volodymyr’s independent stance with regard to Moscow. Therefore, Moscow would like to replace him for a more cooperative person, Stepovyk argued.

Moscow Patriarch Kiril ended up his 10-day visit to Ukraine on Aug. 5, having visited Kyiv, Crimea, oblasts Donetsk, Rivne, Volyn and Ternopil.