Patriarch Bartholomew approves criminal cases against UOC hierarchs

Patriarch Bartholomew approves criminal cases against hierarchs of the UOC. Photo: Kathimerini

Patriarch Bartholomew approves criminal cases against hierarchs of the UOC. Photo: Kathimerini

On October 15, 2023, after the liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Andrew and Great Martyr Dimitri, Patriarch Bartholomew told the clerics of the Spanish and Portuguese Metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that he considers the criminal prosecution of UOC hierarchs to be fair and justified, reports a source in the Metropolis.

According to Patriarch Bartholomew, he believes that the reports in the international media about the unfairness of the persecutions of Metropolitan Paul, Metropolitan Jonathan, Metropolitan Feodosiy, Metropolitan Ioasaph and Metropolitan Longin have no grounds. The head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is convinced that all of them have violated Ukrainian law and should be held accountable for their actions.

As previously reported, the head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate hopes for a meeting with the Pope in Kyiv.

Court takes 17th-century church in Staryi Pochaiv from UOC community

A commercial court overturned a 2018 registrar’s decision and stripped the UOC’s Ternopil Eparchy of ownership of the 17th-century church.

Rada speaker discusses legalization of same-sex marriage in Rivne region

Ruslan Stefanchuk suggested that sponsors of separate bills to legalize same-sex marriage personally make their case to Ukrainians.

SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says

According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.

Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia

During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris

Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.

Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit

More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.