The rector of the Dormition Church in Bluefield (USA, WV), priest mark Tyson left Constantinople Patriarchate and joined the Russian Orthodox Church abroad (ROCOR) in solidarity with the canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Reported Information-enlightenment Department of the UOC with reference to “Interfax”.
“A few days ago the Patriarch, whom I faithfully and prayerfully honored for more than two decades took the unprecedented step of restoration of the canonical status of the rebel gang deprived of dignity and discredited clerics in Ukraine”, — wrote to his ruling Bishop father mark in the letter, a copy of which was handed over on Monday to “Interfax”.
The priest notes that “immoral and non-canonical actions of Patriarch Bartholomew in the Ukraine has contributed to violence against the canonical Church”, and the violence will increase.
“Witnessing Church civil war… and our Patriarch gave his official approval. New and independent “Church” that he created consists of idolaters. They worship the Holy Trinity and a false God called “free Ukraine”, — said in the letter.
For this reason, the priest Tyson decided to leave the congregation of the Church of Constantinople. “I served there last Liturgy and no longer will honor Patriarch Bartholomew. My conscience simply will not allow it. (…) I decided to simply but firmly to “go away” and to unite in communion with the suffering Ukrainian Church, which was marginalized by the incomprehensible actions of Patriarch Bartholomew,” writes mark.
According to the publication, citing information from the office of the Eastern American diocese of ROCOR, the priest is already accepted and assigned to the clergy of the churches in Virginia.