Phanar thanks hierarch of Cyprus for his position against Pat. Theophilos
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Photo: zn.ua
On January 14, 2020, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople congratulated Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Cypriot Orthodox Church on being the first to oppose the initiative of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem to convene a Primates’ Council of Local Churches, Vimaorthodoxias website reports.
The Patriarch of Constantinople also expressed concern about the health of the Head of the Church of Cyprus and wished the latter a speedy recovery. The First Hierarchs agreed to stay in touch to resolve important Orthodox issues.
As reported by the UOJ, the Head of Phanar believes that the Council of Primates cannot serve the unity of Orthodoxy in any way, since the First in the Diptych will not attend the event. He also demanded that the Jerusalem Patriarch cease to persist with the Council idea.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.