GOC bishop: US puts pressure on Local Churches in terms of OCU recognition

Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira. Photo: iellada.gr

Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira of the Greek Orthodox Church said that the United States is putting pressure on the Local Churches, forcing them to recognize the Tomos of the OCU, reports Rentapostagma edition.

According to Metropolitan Seraphim, "the thorny and complex Ukrainian issue, unfortunately, arose as a result of constant and grave pressure from political actors (the United States and the Ukrainian leadership) on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on Greece and other countries."

He also stressed that “in a similar way, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is trying to achieve agreement and recognition of this accomplished event from 11 Orthodox Churches, which, referring to ecclesiological and canonical grounds, object to the recognition of Ukrainian autocephaly”.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Metropolitan Seraphim, the fact that the Council of Bishops allegedly recognized the OCU is a mistake and delusion.

Read also

Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer

In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova

Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".

Bancheny Monastery reports provocation

The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.

Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.

Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution

At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.

Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession

The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.