Media: Meeting of Poroshenko with Patriarch of Jerusalem cancelled

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko

Though Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko intended to meet with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem during his working visit to Israel, the meeting was cancelled, reports RIA-Novosti referring to a source close to the Ukrainian delegation.

“The meeting with the Patriarch will not take place due to Theophilos III’s health,” the source reported.

The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM and was to include a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Poroshenko has met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin earlier today. During the visit, it is planned to sign a free trade agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the State of Israel. The Ukrainian President will return to Ukraine late tonight.

The Jerusalem Church is reported to be under serious pressure to accept the schismatics from the OCU and concelebrate with them.

We recall that Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem said earlier that the Jerusalem Church constantly offers prayers for Ukraine and His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, whom he considers "the most suitable person for the difficult situation in which the Ukrainian people are today". 

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