Media: Zelensky to discuss transfer of Kyiv Lavra to Fanar with Bartholomew
Volodymyr Zelensky and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: romfea.gr
On July 8, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in the Phanar to discuss the issue of “transferring” the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Romfea publication reports.
According to the publication, the pressure on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has intensified due to the expected meeting of Zelensky with the head of the Phanar tomorrow, on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Romfea writes that "during the meeting, the issue of assigning the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s stauropegia to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will be discussed."
Also, according to Romfea, the parties will discuss "other actions to 'unify' Ukrainian Orthodoxy."
At the same time, the newspaper writes, the monks of the Lavra do not want to either move to the OCU or accept the status of stauropegia of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, “and this is what complicates the negotiations.”
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Liudmyla Filippovych, a member of the State Ethnic Policy Commission on the UOC, the monks of the Lavra were offered three options for action – convert to the OCU, transfer to the Phanar, or leave for the Russian Federation.
Read also
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.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.