In a Christmas interview with the Serbian publication «Pečat», Archbishop Irinej of Novi Sad, Metropolitan of Bačka, discussed the issue of the ecclesiastical schism in Ukraine in detail. One of the key topics was the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s intervention in the canonical territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which is autonomous within the Moscow Patriarchate. The full text of the interview was published on the Synodal Department for External Church Relations’ website.

Metropolitan Irinej stated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s actions acted as a catalyst for a tragedy that has profoundly affected global Orthodoxy. He emphasized that the schism has resulted in a dual division. Among Local Orthodox Churches, where some rejected the legitimacy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), established from schismatic groups, while others recognized it, often under pressure or unilateral decisions by individual primates. Within Churches themselves, including Mount Athos, where divisions have emerged regarding support for the OCU.

The archbishop underscored that actions violating Orthodox canons and traditions have led to a spiritual catastrophe that threatens the Church's mission in the world.

Despite the depth of the schism, Archbishop Irinej expressed hope for the restoration of unity, citing the Apostle Paul’s words that Christ is our peace. He proposed a resolution path that includes: annulment of the decisions granting autocephaly to the OCU; restoration of the status quo ante and initiation of pan-Orthodox dialogue.

The metropolitan warned that maintaining the current situation could lead to a centuries-long schism within Orthodoxy, akin to the division between East and West in the 11th century.

The Ukrainian authorities are pursuing a policy of ousting the canonical UOC. Violent seizures of churches are being encouraged, clergy are being accused of treason, and a law effectively banning the UOC's activities recently came into force.

Commenting on the situation, Protopresbyter Nikolai Balashov, an advisor to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, recently stated that granting the Tomos of autocephaly to the OCU in 2019 has not brought peace or unity but has instead deepened the schism. He noted that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has neither condemned the violent seizures of churches nor the persecution of UOC clergy, indicating a lack of accountability for the consequences of its actions.