UOC MP priests are collecting signatures under a petition to the Council of Primates of the Ancient Eastern Churches to assess the actions of Russian Orthodox Church leader Vladimir Gundyayev, better known as Patriarch Kirill.

The "Russian world" doctrine does not correspond to Orthodox teaching, the priests said.

Priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate demand to organize an international church tribunal against Patriarch Kirill.

The statement of the priests was made public by Archpriest Andrei Pinchuk.

They decided to appeal to the Council of the Primates of the Ancient Eastern Churches with a lawsuit against Patriarch Kirill.

According to the churchmen:

Kirill preaches the doctrine of "Russian peace," which is inconsistent with Orthodox teaching and should be condemned as heresy;

Kirill committed moral crimes by blessing the war against Ukraine and fully supported the aggressive actions of Russian troops in Ukraine.

"We hope that the Council of the Primates of the Ancient Eastern Churches will consider our appeal and render its just decision," the statement said.

In the history of the Russian Church there has been only one precedent of an appeal to the court of the Eastern Patriarchs before. In 1666, the Eastern Patriarchs condemned Moscow Patriarch Nikon, depriving him of his patriarchate and bishop ministry. Nikon was left a simple monk and sent to a monastery to repent.

The Council of the Primates of the Ancient Eastern Churches is the highest orthodox court that considers lawsuits against church hierarchs.

If he is found guilty, Gundyaev may be deprived of his patriarchal dignity.