“Aydar” detained battalion commander's wife accuses Pat. Bartholomew
Detained Sergey Melnichuk. Photo: Sergey Melnichuk's Facebook page
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople may stand behind the detention of Sergey Melnichuk, which occurred on the border of Greece and Bulgaria on March 1, 2020. The wife of the battalion commander Mila Melnichuk said this in a comment to Strana.ua publication.
“I have several versions,” the detainee’s wife said. “First, this provocation was staged by Bartholomew himself (Patriarch of Constantinople – Ed.), because they started calling me with proposals so that the New Church (OCU – Ed.) will be engaged in the peacemaking process. Greece really wants to act as a peacemaker before the Norman format.”
Also, according to Mila Melnichuk, the detention of her husband may be initiated by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Arsen Avakov, or Russia.
“This is a framed-up situation. But this is an absurd situation, because we haven’t been listed anywhere in Interpol <...> A faked-up case. Now my husband is talking with the consul, and they are waiting for a decision of the prosecutor, but I was told that this procedure could take several years,” she added.
As reported by the UOJ, previously the Greek theologian Panagiotis Katramados called Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople the “captive of the Turks and the USA”, explaining the consequences of his anti-canonical actions in Ukraine for Greece.
Read also
DESS expert: Phanar Exarch asked bail for Chernyshov under pressure from SBU
A religious-studies commentator aligned with the OCU said the scandalous appearance of the Bishop of Comana – offering to stand surety for an official accused of large-scale corruption – was prompted by the SBU.
Persecuted UOC cathedral community holds worship in new premises
The persecuted UOC community in Volodymyr continues its liturgical life, gathering for prayer in a makeshift space.
Charismatic pastor urges “re-baptizing” UOC faithful to sever ties with RF
A Ukrainian Protestant pastor said he considers baptisms in the UOC invalid and called on Orthodox believers to undergo the rite again.
OCU “bishop”: UOC celebrates Christmas on January 7 to divide Ukrainians
Firley believes it is not those imposing the new calendar style who are dividing Ukrainian society, but those who have remained on the old one.
UOC church rector killed by shelling in Hryshyne village
In Donetsk Region, Archpriest Vasyl Kiyko – who had served for many years in a frontline village – was killed during shelling.
Cabinet extends religious communities’ use of state property to up to 50 years
The government has changed the rules for transferring religious sites, increasing contract terms and establishing priority for communities that have already been using the churches.