Abp. Elpidophoros: Head of Phanar is a front-line defender of Orthodoxy

Pope Benedict and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: abbaziagreca.it

Pope Benedict and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: abbaziagreca.it

Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the American Archdiocese of Phanar, said that Patriarch Bartholomew is a "front-line defender of Orthodoxy", the Orthodox Times reported.

Archbishop Elpidophoros compared St. Patriarch Photios, to whom "Slavic peoples are forever in debt", with the current head of Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew, "the most worthy successor to Saintly Photios and a front-line defender of Orthodoxy."

"Like his holy predecessor, Patriarch Bartholomew restored millions of pious Ukrainians to the fullness of Orthodoxy, by his bold and visionary granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," Phanar representative in the United States stresses.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Archbishop Elpidophoros, the head of Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew, is the "leader of Orthodoxy". 

Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration

The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.

Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents

The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.

Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms

Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.

432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says

According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.

DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine

A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.

Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations

The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.