Greek media publish selection of statements by Patriarch Theodore about UOC

Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria during his visit to Odessa, 2018. Photo: eparhiya.od.ua

The Greek media reminded Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria of his support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and published a video with a selection of statements about the UOC during his stay in Odessa in the autumn of 2018.

In particular, after the Patriarchate of Alexandria recognized the OCU, the Greek edition “Katanixi” reminded Patriarch Theodore of what he once said: “He who forgot the Rules forgets God. Anyone who forgot the canons forgets that Christ rules the Church.”

Journalists write that during his tour of Ukraine from September 27 to October 1, "the patriarch visited Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and in many churches and monasteries in Odessa. In every church he came to, he told the believers that they should remain in the Ukrainian Orthodox Canonical Church.”

The resource emphasized that Patriarch Theodore "insisted that in order to achieve salvation they (Ukrainian believers – Ed.) should belong to the Canonical Church". However, according to reporters, "it seems that for Alexandria, salvation can now be found in schismatic movements."

To confirm its words, the edition published a video with the following comment: “Look how passionately Patriarch Theodore urged believers to always remain under the omophorion of the Canonical Orthodox Church.”

In addition, journalists published a video compilation of some quotes from the statements of the head of the Patriarchate of Alexandria regarding the UOC.

For example, on September 27, 2018, in Odessa, Patriarch Theodore declared: “The Way of Truth is the Way of the Canonical Church. In Ukraine, there is a canonical Church. Stay true to it.”

September 28: “The Church of Ukraine must remain in its canonical status. We, the patriarchs of the East, do not need to give it something because it already has it as the Orthodox Church of Christ.”

October 1: “... But most of all in these difficult days of Ukraine, I am glad to be with you (Metropolitan Agafangel – Ed.). Starting tomorrow, my work begins to inform and tell all the Primates what I saw in Ukraine. I bless you all – stay with the canonical Church of Ukraine.”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that after the commemoration of Epiphany by Patriarch Theodore at the liturgy in Cyprus, letters were handed out to the clergy with the text: Onuphry – Metropolitan, Epiphany – schismatic, Theodore – Judas.

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