Primate of ROCOR: Phanar’s purpose is to be at the head of all territories

Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York

The Patriarchate of Constantinople seeks to be at the head of all territories, said the head of the ROCOR, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York in an interview with “Izvestia”.

According to ROCOR First Hierarch, the Patriarch of Constantinople has always sought to expand his influence.

“He [Patriarch of the Church of Constantinople – Ed.] believes that all the territories abroad, which are not under any Local Churches, are his territory, said Metropolitan Hilarion. “For example, the United States. He believes that the Patriarch of Constantinople should lead all assemblies, all church joint ministries. He is given the privilege of being first among equals. But here he has another intention – to be at the head of all territories. For example, in the case of the Philippines or any other small country, it is always considered that this is the territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

At the same time, Phanar, in the opinion of the First Hierarch of the ROCOR, is under great pressure from Western countries.

“The Patriarchate itself is a very small group of people located in Turkey. They are very dependent on various organizations that support them. When political changes occur, the Patriarchate of Constantinople vacillates,” concluded Metropolitan Hilarion.

Earlier, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia announced its decision to suspend concelebration with bishops of the Church of Constantinople. Also, the ROCOR has suspended work in the episcopal assemblies.

As the UOJ reported, the ROCOR Synod condemned attempts to create an autocephalous Church in Ukraine and declared support for His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.

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