Greek metropolitans call on Patriarch Bartholomew to hold Council on OCU

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: radiosvoboda.org

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: radiosvoboda.org

Metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Church Seraphim of Piraeus, Seraphim of Kythira, Cosmas of Aetolia and Andrei of Konitsa call for the convocation of a Pan-Orthodox Council on Ukrainian autocephaly issue. They wrote a joint letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and representatives of the other 13 Local Churches, reports “Orthodoxtimes”.

Earlier, the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Anastasios, Patriarch John X of Antioch, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Council of the Polish Church and many other hierarchs of the Orthodox Churches raised their voice for the need to convene a Pan-Orthodox Сouncil on the “Ukrainian issue”.

On November 21, the Primate of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, Patriarch Theophilos III, proposed to convene an All-Orthodox Conference in Jordan to discuss the autocephaly of the OCU.

The head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ieronymos rejected this offer, saying that only the Patriarch of Constantinople has the right to convene the Pan-Orthodox Council.

SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says

According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.

Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia

During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris

Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.

Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit

More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.

Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk

Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.

Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death

The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.