OCU "сleric” who “served“ in Phanar: "Constantinople isn't Mother for us"
Representatives of the OCU in front of the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul. Photo: Facebook
On November 6, 2020, representatives of the OCU, including the "bishop" of Vladimir-Volynsky Matthew Shevchuk, held a “service” at the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae in Istanbul. The video of the event was published on the Facebook page of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The "divine service" was led by the former Metropolitan of the UOC Alexander Drabinko. The “liturgy” was also attended by “archpriest” Petro Landvitovich and former priest of the UOC Viktor Martinenko.
Matthew Shevchuk is known for the fact that in 2016, being a "cleric" of the UOC-KP, declared that the Patriarchate of Constantinople is not the Mother Church for Ukrainians.
“There is the Roman Church, which also captures Ukrainian souls. And it is famous for its wealth and beauty,” said Matthew Shevchuk. “There are Greeks who manipulate and say: ‘We are the Mother Church.’ Well, no. After all, the Mother Church would never have renounced her children for 300 gold pieces and sable coats, whatever gifts they give. What mother renounces and sells her child? Moreover, to Moscow slavery. And the Greeks sold it. And now they say: "We are the Mother Church." No. Our mother is our land," Shevchuk said two years before receiving the Tomos from the Phanar.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that on November 6, a Phanar representative, addressing the “hierarchs” and “clerics” of the OCU, said that Ukrainians are an inseparable part of the flock of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
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