Poroshenko's channel accuses Constantinople of bribe-taking
Vitaly Gaidukevich said that the independent Kiev Church was established 1,030 years ago
"The Church annexation of Ukraine by Moscow," formally legalized by Constantinople, according to the TV presenter Vitaly Gaidukevich, happened during the "Cossack times". He stated this on the air of the programme "Chas. Pidzumky tyzhnia" on April 22.
According to him, the "annexation" mechanism was as follows: "Who they needed from the Cossack elite were just bought or mislead. For the legalization of the takeover, Constantinople relied on the sinfulness of the local hierarchs, the so-called "bribe with sables".
"The independence of the Ukrainian Church was almost ended, because Constantinople handed over the church affairs for a bribe under Moscow's temporary care until the Ecumenical Patriarchate solved its own problems," the journalist explained his point of view.
He also said that the independent Kiev Church was established 1,030 years ago.
Earlier, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk stated that the Patriarchate of Constantinople could not unilaterally declare the autocephaly of the SLC, despite the "rich gifts" that President Poroshenko bestowed upon Patriarch Bartholomew during his last visit to Turkey.
Read also
MP: Rada to introduce Day of Old Rus fleet’s campaign against Constantinople
Maksym Buzhanskyi announced the preparation of a new list of state and "religious" holidays.
In Israel, synagogues and mosques closed due to military conflict
Israeli authorities have banned mass gatherings, including services during Ramadan and before Purim.
Romanian Patriarchate calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine
The Romanian Orthodox Church has stated the need for urgent solutions to restore peace and called for prayer for those in the world's military conflict zones.
Kyiv City Council deputy: We aim to ensure no UOC communities in Kyiv region
Tytykalo stated that the deputies set the task of "cleansing the Kyiv region of the UOC".
395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report
An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.
GOC opens fundraising drive for Sinai Monastery and Holy Sepulchre Church
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on Greece’s metropolises and parishes to collect donations to support the ancient shrines on Sinai and in Jerusalem.