Expert: crazy initiative of Verkhovna Rada to appeal to Phanar could not succeed
An appeal of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the Patriarch of Constantinople on the autocephalous status of the Ukrainian Church looked an amazing impertinence in the eyes of the Phanar, said analyst of the Kiev Center for Political and Conflict Studies Andrei Vidishenko to a UOJ correspondent.
"A crazy initiative of the VRU to appeal to the Phanar in the form of a draft resolution № 4793 could not succeed and didn’t succeed. In the eyes of the Phanar, as I understand it, it looked an amazing impertinence. In particular, the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Fr. Alexandros Karloutsos expressed his view on the matter, stating that the Ecumenical Patriarch only recognizes Patriarch Kirill as the spiritual head of All Russia, including Ukraine," stressed the expert.
"Of course, interesting is the political motivation of such statements of the official Constantinople. Given the dependence of some specific structures of the Phanar on Ankara, in particular on the Diyanet – the Turkish Directorate for Religious Affairs, the motivation of such statements of Constantinople can be also considered in the light of the recent apology of Erdogan and his attempts of reconciliation with the Russian Federation," explained the analyst.
"Undoubtedly, it will be a cold shower for radical fighters with national and spiritual identity of their own people in the walls of the Ukrainian parliament," concluded Vidishenko.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.