Exarch of Phanar: Ukraine's denominations drifted further apart after Tomos
The exarch of the Phanar, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Comana. Photo: a screenshot of the YouTube channel "Spiritual Front"
The exarch of the Phanar, Bishop Michael (Anishchenko) of Comana in an interview with the resource "Spiritual Front" said that Orthodox denominations of Ukraine only distanced from one another after the Tomos was granted.
"Unfortunately, it seems to me that the Orthodox jurisdictions have become further apart, especially at this time during the war," the exarch said and added that "one can only guess" why this is happening.
At the same time, the exarch assured that the Phanar gave the Tomos to "absolutely all the Orthodox of Ukraine to unite all in one local Church", and it is not his fault that the UOC did not "recognise" this.
According to the bishop, after the granting of the Tomos, now "the questions are already to the local figures, how open and ready for mutual understanding they are."
The exarch refused to comment on the actions of the authorities concerning the UOC, "because the state as a monopolist in this matter surely has more detailed information".
As earlier reported, a Phanar priest appealed to the exarch in Kyiv to respond to the persecution against the UOC. The latter remained silent.
Read also
Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds
The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.
Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary
The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).
Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America
During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.
UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.
Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site
The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.
Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches
The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.