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
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.