Source: Shmygal nails down transfer of UOC temples to OCU with Phanar head
Denis Shmygal and Patriarch Bartholomew during the service in Phanar. Photo: kmu.gov.ua
During the meeting of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal with Patriarch Bartholomew, which took place in Istanbul on November 30, 2020, the Ukrainian official pledged full support for the OCU and said Kyiv is ready to start implementing a relevant plan," a source in the government head's entourage told the UOJ.
The plan provides for the "transfer" of temples and parishes of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the OCU, as well as the full range of administrative support for this structure by the state. According to the source, Denis Shmygal told Patriarch Bartholomew he would personally oversee these activities.
The key executor of this work will be the head of the newly created Department of Ethnic and Religious Policy at the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers, Andrei Yurash, who through his son, an MP from the "Servant of the People" Sviatoslav Yurash, intends to push through the Verkhovna Rada legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening the position of the OCU.
Also, the source of the UOJ claims that Vladimir Zelensky will distance himself from these activities, as he fears damage to his electoral initiatives.
Earlier, Denis Shmygal said that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is a reliable partner of the state and can enjoy full legal and economic support.
Read also
Politician criticizes OCU cleric for "special support" of TRC
Vitaliy Kupriy commented on a sermon by an OCU cleric, where the latter called draft evasion a sin and urged to "reason with" such people through denunciations.
Armenian Church to hold council in Austria despite government obstacles
The Episcopal Council of the Armenian Church will take place in St. Pölten, even though a number of bishops have been banned from leaving the country and several hierarchs remain in custody.
Moldovan Metropolis bishop and faithful blocked inside a church in Moldova
Police blocked access to a church in the village of Dereneu, where Archbishop Petru of the Moldovan Church and parishioners were inside.
Phanar explains why it recognized UAOC ordinations involving impostor bishop
The Phanar compared the participation of the self-proclaimed "bishop" in the UAOC ordinations to zero in mathematics: whether you multiply by zero or divide by zero, the result is still one.
Pashinyan compares Armenian Church clergy to Islamists
The Armenian prime minister said in an interview that radical political sermons are being delivered in Armenian churches.
Turkish and Greek leaders to discuss religious agenda with Pat. Bartholomew
The President of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece will hold a meeting and official dinner with Patriarch Bartholomew in Ankara.