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.
Read also
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".
18th-century gates of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra presented in London
State art historians have identified masterpieces by Kyiv goldsmiths in London.
In mosque, OCU "bishop" and DESS experts dine at iftar during Ramadan
At an iftar in Kyiv, authors of expert assessments against the UOC were awarded Islamic orders in the presence of the deputy head of DESS and a "hierarch" of Dumenko's structure.
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.