Zelenskyy congratulates the Ecumenical Patriarch on Christmas

Patriarch Bartholomew and Volodumyr Zelenskyy. Photo: romfea.gr

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the head of the Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew, on Christmas, which the Patriarchate of Constantinople celebrates on December 25 according to the new style.

In his letter to Patriarch Bartholomew, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed "warm wishes from himself and the invincible Ukrainian people" for the upcoming celebration of Christmas, "which for centuries has embodied the victory of peace, love and unity".

"Unfortunately, not all Ukrainians have the opportunity to meet their families on Christmas Eve. As a result of the large-scale criminal war waged by Russia, millions of Ukrainian families have lost their homes, and hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters will be on the front lines on Christmas Day, defending their Homeland," the President wrote.

He noted that in this pre-Christmas period " all of us believe that despite the challenges we will restore, with joint efforts, peace in our Homeland. And we do whatever is necessary".

Zelenskyy told the Phanar head that "the Ukrainian people highly appreciate" His Holiness for his "spiritual support, daily prayers, your extremely important personal efforts for the unity of the world, for the achievement of a just peace and the liberation of our Homeland".

As reported, according to the VR Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, MPs will soon adopt a bill on a religious organization posing a threat to Ukraine's national security.

Read also

Political expert: Declaring January 7 as Programmer’s Day resembles mockery

Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to designate a new professional holiday on the day when Christmas is celebrated.

Cherkasy court accuses Metropolitan Theodosiy of “improper sermon”

At another court hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, an expert attempted to argue that there had been no violent seizure of the monastery in Cherkasy and that the alleged crime was committed by the Cherkasy hierarch through an “improper” sermon.

Catherine Whiteford discusses defense of UOC with Congressman Riley Moore

An American political figure spoke about a meeting that addressed the protection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and freedom of religion.

7-meter didukh to replace Christmas tree installed on Maidan

According to KSCA representatives, "the didukh, unlike the borrowed Christmas tree, is a traditional pre-Christian symbol of ancient Ukrainians".

Patriarch of Bulgaria: OCU will not take part in services at Phanar

The Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that the OCU is not mentioned in the diptychs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and will not participate in joint services at the Phanar.

SBU shows what to do with those who celebrate Christmas on January 7

The video of the SBU features its employees breaking down the apartment doors with the comment: "Who comes 'caroling' to those who celebrate Christmas on January 7."