Synod of Greek Church not to consider “Ukrainian issue” in March

The Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church

Greek media published the agenda of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece to be held on March 19-21, 2019. "Ukrainian church issue" is not planned to discuss, Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Relations of the UOC Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich wrote on his Facebook page.

He recalled that at the previous meeting of the Holy Synod this question was sent to study by commissions.

“The main topic to be discussed at the Bishops' Council will be church-state relations, taking into account recent legislative changes concerning the Church of Greece,” writes Fr. Nikolai.

In addition, new metropolitans will be chosen for the vacant departments and the vicar bishop.

"It is obvious that the attitude of the GOC to the "OCU" will be expressed at one of the following Bishops' Councils, which is due later," the spokesperson for the UOC added.

He stressed that so far seven Orthodox Churches have already spoken against the recognition of the OCU.

As the UOJ reported, at the end of last year, the Synod of the Church of Greece refused to include in the official agenda a discussion on the granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church, despite the proposal of a number of metropolitans. Archbishop Jerome of Athens and All Greece considered it unacceptable to bring this matter up for discussion by the Synod.

Read also

Dumenko "blesses" SBU facility for forensic examination

The head of the OCU noted the "special role" of the Institute of Special Technology and Forensic Expertise of the SBU.

ROC head: Attempts to impose special powers of Pat. Bartholomew are sinful

Patriarch Kirill stated that the doctrine of special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople is being imposed from outside.

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces LGBT festival near Sodom and Gomorrah

Israeli authorities are promoting a large-scale gay event at the Dead Sea on social media, which has caused criticism and bewilderment among Christians.

In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"

Two non-Orthodox individuals aged 19 and 23 tracked down a 35-year-old Orthodox Christian after an Easter greeting, knocked him down and inflicted several knife wounds to his abdomen and neck.

In Uganda, Islamists kill Protestant pastor after sermon

In Uganda, a Protestant church pastor who preached among Muslims was stabbed to death after a sermon.

Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”

A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.