Problematic poll - the two lavras

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: First of all, Ukraine should not have two patriarchates. That is the real issue here. : Most Orthodox Ukrainians in Ukraine -- for better or for worse -- belong to the Moscow Patriarchate, even though they (in most regions) have a choice. So if the "majority" matters at all, then the poll results are contrary to the reality of Ukraine. Before any property is granted to one or another group, the split Ukrainian churches should reunite, and elect a new bishop, preferably one who was not a KGB agent and who has no canonical impediments. The present patriarch of Kyiv has several canonical impediments (he's married with three children). : The two monasteries are inhabited by monks who live, pray, work, and worship God there. Doesn't their opinion matter the most? : I hope we can all agree that this is an issue the Ukrainian government shouldn't involve itself in. The government hasn't exactly been friendly to the Church in the last 300 years. Since the property doesn't belong to the government, or to anyone in the diaspora, both said parties should not be involved. : One thing that is definitely clear: Ukraine desperately needs an Orthodox Church that is self-governing for the spiritual benefit of Ukraine. Both the Soviet and Russian empires are dead, and the presence of a Muscovite-centered church in Ukraine is just a memorial to imperial times. This can only happen in Ukraine from within the Church and without outside involvement...otherwise it won't be authentic. : The fact that there are many Russians in Ukraine doesn't matter, either. There are also plenty of Ukrainians in Russia.

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