Archbishop Leo of Finland strongly criticized the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan Onufry of the Moscow Patriarchate, for what he viewed as uncanonical actions within the territory of Finland.
Specifically, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Metropolitan Onufriy facilitated the migration of tens of thousands of Ukrainians, including Orthodox Christians, to Finland.
The Orthodox Church of Finland invited members of both the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Onufriy under the Moscow Patriarchate and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine under Metropolitan Epifaniy to participate in its parishes.
A four-year project has been initiated by the Orthodox Church of Finland to assist in the integration of Ukrainian immigrants into Finnish society and local Orthodox communities, coordinated by Filantropia ry.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under Metropolitan Onufry, has established over 80 parishes in Western Europe since the Ukrainian invasion, including a presence in Finland to address the pastoral needs of the Ukrainian community.
Archimandrite Fotij has been appointed as the official representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Finland by Metropolitan Onufry, drawing a reaction from Archbishop Leo.
The Archdiocese emphasized that Finland is an autonomous canonical territory of the Orthodox Church of Finland, and the establishment of representations of other Orthodox Churches within its territory is unacceptable.
Archbishop Leo expressed concern over Archimandrite Fotij’s actions, stating that any actions that undermine the unity of the Orthodox Church of Finland will not serve the interests of Ukrainians or others.